Category Archives: Kit

Survival Handbook – In Association with the Royal Marines Commandos

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The Survival Handbook in Association with the Royal Marines Commandos is a very comprehensive and clear reference. The book is well organized and covers virtually everything you need to know about survival – combining the best of primitive and modern concepts and techniques. If not for the cover or title, you probably wouldn’t know it was written in conjunction with the Royal Navy’s elite commandos. There is almost no “military feel” about this manual.

The illustrations are fantastic and visually represent the text of this manual in a fashion that is very easy to absorb and retain. Due to its size (textbook), this survival handbook would be considered a home based resource – certainly one of the best on the market.

 

About the Author

After joining the Royal Navy in 1977, Colin qualified as a Combat Survival Instructor with 22 Regiment SAS, and has spent over 30 years teaching Land, Sea, Desert, Jungle, and Cold-Weather survival skills – as well as Survival and Conduct in Captivity – to UK and USA Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force personnel. He was the Royal Navy’s Chief Survival Instructor and also served three years as Chief Instructor at the US Navy SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) School in Brunswick Maine.

Colin has seen service in the Falklands, Germany, USA,  Bosnia and Northern Ireland in addition to serving a tour with the Army Intelligence Corps.  He still serves as a Royal Navy Reserve Chief Instructor with the UK Defence SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Extraction) Training Organisation, providing survival training for both instructors and students.

He provided the survival training, equipment, and rescue team for Sir Richard Branson’s balloon global circumnavigation attempts, and also trials, evaluates and instructs in the use of specialised survival equipment, both in the UK and abroad.

Colin’s first book, The Survival Handbook: Essential Skills for Outdoor Adventure by DK Publishing is available from all major book stores and Amazon (All Royalties donated to the Royal Navy, Royal Marines Association).

The American version of the book has been officially licensed by the Boy Scouts Association of America.

The book has also been officially licensed by the Royal Danish Marine Korps.

A smaller, more ‘back-pack’ version of the book, containing the essential survival information from the first book is now available from all major book stores.

www.colintowell-survival.com

Cost: Around CDN $30

ISBN 978-1-4053-2236-2

Paracord popularity

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In recent years 550 military spec. parachute cord, aka: paracord, has become quite ubiquitous in the world of survival and bushcraft. Its popularity comes from its strength and versatility where normal cordage comes up short.

Genuine paracord is made of 7 inner yarns, each composed of 3 yarns respectively. Light, slender, and super strong (550 lbs breaking strength), paracord has become an essential piece of kit. It can be used as a reliable string for a bow-drill fire set, hanging up a tarp or hammock, tying up gear etc.

The usefulness of having 25 – 50 feet of paracord in your kit cannot be underestimated. One of the main reasons cordage is such a valuable piece of kit, is because like most essential survival items (knife, fire-making device, water bottle, metal container, whistle, signal mirror etc.), they are considered valuable not only for their usefulness, but also because they are very difficult to effectively replicate or improvise in nature. Can you make natural cordage? Absolutely. But if you pack a kit – that basically means you’d rather not make what you’re packing. If you can pack some paracord – pack it.

Cost: Around CDN $8 (50 feet)

Tip:  If you’re looking for an inconspicuous method of carrying paracord, try replacing your bootlaces with it. Use enough so you can wrap excess amounts around your boots once (or twice) before tying them.

Hawke’s Special Forces Survival Handbook

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Compared to other survival books, Hawke’s Special Forces Survival Handbook seems a bit cluttered. In fairness, this might have something to do with its small size which is a good thing if you want a portable survival reference.

The diagrams aren’t anything to get excited about, nor is the content, which for the most part contains standard survival book concepts and techniques. However, this reference gets to the point quickly, where others can ramble on and on…

What I do appreciate are some of Mykel’s viewpoints on survival – which are somewhat different from those people have been generally adopting.

Cost: Around CDN $18

www.mykelhawke.com

Lights at night

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Ever wonder why some flashlights and headlamps offer different colors of light?

White: All purpose/general lighting. This will temporarily (10 – 20 mins) ruin your natural night vision.

Red: Terrible for general lighting, but excellent for maintaining your natural night vision.

Green: Great for picking up details in the dark. Particularly useful for tracking at night.

Don’t get Bogged Down

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Classic Mid Boot

The Bogs® Classic Mid is the perfect boot to handle anything your day may bring. Built with durable rubber to keep you dry and comfortable and to withstand the harshest conditions. Constructed with 7mm four way stretch Neo-Tech insulation. Comfort rated to -40˚F. Contour fit for maximum support and movement and a non-slip outsole to deliver excellent traction on any surface.

  • 100% Waterproof
  • Natural hand-lasted rubber and a four way stretch inner bootie
  • Non-slip, non-marking and self-cleaning outsole
  • Aegis antimicrobial odor protection insole
  • Comfort rated from temperate to -40˚F or sub-zero conditions
  • Height: 11”
  • Circumference at calf 16″
  • Weight 4lbs per pair
  • Available in sizes 7-18

100% satisfaction guaranteed

– Bogs Footwear

Cost: Around CDN $90

www.bogsfootwear.com

I’ve worn these boots for a little over a year under various conditions in each season. Where I live (Manitoba, Canada) it gets extremely cold. With the right pair of socks, these boots are warm enough for daily winter tasks outside and jaunts around town. The Mid Boots are super easy to slip on and off and very comfortable, offering just enough height to keep out the elements. However, for serious cold and snow – they don’t cut it (at least not in my experience).

In spring, summer and fall, the treads on these boots are fantastic. They have a bit of arch support while allowing your feet to feel very close to the ground and sense the surface you’re walking on (not sure if that’s still the case – looks like the treads on the new model are noticeably more aggressive). On icy surfaces, I’ve found these boot to be a bit slick. Perhaps the new model offers better grip in slippery conditions.

I’ve tested the water resistant capabilities of these boots last year in the bush. We were trudging through water that came right up to the rims of my boots…No problem. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first, but I was pleasantly surprised. Although they aren’t the best for technical activities – “flat surface” walking through the bush is very pleasant, shedding dirt and mud quite well.

Fairly lightweight and durable, mine have tackled bushwhacking and a teething English Bulldog. While they may not have lasted too long with my dog, they’re pretty rugged.

Simple and convenient. Overall they’ve proved to be a pretty good boot.

3 Rules from a former Green Beret

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go·ruck  [verb go + verb ruck] noun ruck is short for rucksack (aka backpack), it’s also a verb: to ruck is to move with a rucksack, and implies action, energy, and purpose.

Special Forces sent me to cities, mountains, jungles, and deserts, by day and night, in every condition imaginable throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. I surrounded myself with the best, a standard I grew to expect, and I trusted my teammates, my instincts, and my equipment. We never knew what we might find, so we always came prepared for anything. Throughout it all we worked hard and played hard, sometimes in that order, and I learned an honest way of life that will always be my core, and the core of GORUCK.

GORUCK introduces military-grade gear tough enough for Special Forces to adventure seekers worldwide. All GORUCK gear is built in the USA and adheres to the highest standards of functionality, durability and style.

GORUCK gear comes with our Scars Lifetime Guarantee, so play hard.

Wherever you’re going, whatever you’re doing, go ready, GORUCK.

– Jason, Founder

According to GORUCK’s founder Jason (former Special Forces soldier with the Green Berets), there are 3 rules you need to know:

1.  Never get lost

2.  Always look cool

3.  If you get lost…look cool

www.goruck.com

Take care of your kit

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“If you don’t take care of your equipment, how can you expect your equipment to take care of you?”  –  Ray Mears

Keeping your gear in top condition not only makes it a joy to use, but it also helps cut down on the need to replace items. It’s important to use and enjoy your equipment, but remember: There is a difference between using your kit…and abusing your kit.

Put it in a Pelican!

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Protection from the elements is an important consideration in a survival situation, for you – and your equipment. Today’s survival kits often contain such items as GPS units, cell phones and other electronic gadgets which require protection from not only mother nature, but from everyday bumps and bruises. An excellent way to protect your gear is with Pelican cases. Tough, water & dust resistant, crush proof, these cases are simple to use and very effective.

Founded in 1978 by a diver, they can be found protecting everything from iPhones, photography gear, medical devices and military equipment. The product speaks for itself…and they have the numbers to prove it. The California based company has been experiencing healthy sales growth. At the end of 2008, it had US$350m in revenues and bought its biggest competitor. Its factory in Torrance produces roughly 30,000 cases a month and they’ve become so efficient, they can convert plastic pellets into a case within five minutes.

Pelican cases come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors to suit virtually any taste. Using a proprietary mix of polymers, Pelican creates a plastic which is virtually unbreakable. I’ve been using Pelican cases for several years now and they’ve never let me down.

The air pressure valve is a great feature which makes them ideal for air travel (I’ve traveled with similar products on the market without an air pressure valve and they were extremely difficult to open afterwards). They are great for stowing your cell phone and passport while in transit without worrying about anything getting crushed or wet – Pelican cases offer an extreme amount of peace-of-mind.

In my opinion, Pelican cases are reasonably priced and offer great value. Considering they should last you a lifetime and will protect your possessions from damage, they are a great investment – and recyclable!

Interesting fact: A custom-made container was used to carry a Formula One car.

Anything you want to protect from getting wet or busted – Put it in a Pelican!

www.pelican.com

Map & Compass

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A perfect companion for the Suunto MCA compass – The Complete Orienteering Handbook is a comprehensive manual containing pretty much everything you’ll need to establish a solid base of navigational fundamentals.

Not a very exciting read, but your interest in the content will likely come from your passion to learn about using a map and compass – an invaluable survival skill.

Remember – GPS devices can fail due to extreme temperatures and dead batteries. A compass does not rely on a power source and is quite reliable in most environments and climates.  If you rely on a GPS unit as your primary navigational instrument, consider carrying a compass (with a map of the area you are travelling in) as a back up system.

Cost: Around CDN $30

ISBN  0 – 02 – 029265 -1

Swedish FireSteel 2.0

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Light My Fire FireSteel 2.0 – Scout Model

The newest FireSteel from LMF is a welcome improvement over the previous model in terms of design. Although I preferred the ability to grasp the old all metal scraper as dictated by my own dexterity, the bulb heads on the new versions are relatively ergonomic. The only other difference is the addition of a built-in whistle on the scraper. Perhaps not a loud as a Fox 40, it’s still quite effective in its own right. If you are a minimalist, this new feature eliminates the need to carry a solitary whistle.

In a survival situation, this is a wonderful feature to have. If you lost your main whistle, or relied on this one alone, a whistle is by far more effective than shouting in terms of sound and effort.

As usual, the LMF FireSteel comes in a multitude of colors to suit any taste.

Cost: About CDN $13

Made in Sweden

www.lightmyfire.se