Emergency Preparedness: April 2008 Archives
April 23, 2008 10:34 PM
YOUR BACKPACK-DON'T JUST STUFF IT-USE IT!
I spent last Sunday in one of Steven Knopp's classes. This day he was teaching about emergency backpacks, 'marching' backpacks, fire making, a little bit about tracking, a little bit about edible wild plants, a little bit about SO much. Talk about download! It was fantastic. He's an excellent teacher, so present and clear, and is filled with reams of knowledge from his life's experiences. I went home absolutely exhausted and fulfilled.
I learned so many things, but want to focus on the backpack part for now. It's a lesson in, TEST IT BEFORE YOU NEED IT. I had an emergency backpack in my car which had some necessary things in it. I knew it wasn't complete, so when it came time to take the class I added a few more things so I'd be better prepared. That morning I put in some food I'd need to cook over an open fire, some snacks, water, etc. When I went to put the pack on it wouldn't go on! The straps were too short! I knew this wasn't a great backpack, and had planned to get a really good one some day down the line. But not to be able to put it on was a shock. So after all the careful placing of this and that item, in this and that compartment, I emptied it all out and found another old backpack to stuff things in, and off I went.
I don't care what kind of list you've found telling you what items to have in your pack, until you see it all laid out in front of you, and until you actually put the pack on with the stuff in it and go on an adventure to use it, you won't know if it's adequate, or how you would arrange it differently, or what you would add or subtract from it. What's in your pack, and do you know how to use what's in it? So test it out. Make a fire. Do you have everything? You won't know until you make it. Cook your meal on the fire. Do you have everything? Or did you forget a container for water, or an eating utensil, or something to pick up a hot pan from the fire? Have to go to the bathroom? What did you bring for that?
AND, what kind of shape are you in to carry a pack through the forest, for example, or walk for long distances if you had to? I was humbled by its weight, and I hadn't even included many very necessary items for a 3 day survival situation. We didn't even go far and I was huffing and puffing, not to mention when I'd bend down to get under a low hanging branch and fall over because my body wasn't used to the weight! (Lots of laughter lying sideways in the swamp). This may not be your story, but don't think that you can just throw things in a bag and walk for your life. Your focus better be super powerful to overcome the physical challenge. Meanwhile, I've decided to wear my pack during my morning walk a few times a week.
I'll tell you more about what else I learned another time. If you live in this area, give Steven Knopp a call 360-458-6777 x 228 or email him at flyertreetop@yahoo.com to find out when his next classes are in wilderness survival, emergency backpacks, fire making, bow making, self-defense, and on and on. You won't regret it. Click here for Steven's Bio. He's one of our experts from the Weekly (more like random) Wisdom Forum.
April 2, 2008 8:45 PM
Welcome to our Question and Answer postings, a dynamic forum for people to have their questions answered by a group of "wise ones". Our experts bring a rich and diverse background of skills and knowledge gained from years of experience living and breathing what they talk about. Click here to meet them.
It is my desire that the Weekly Wisdom Forum will reach out to a sea of people of all ages, from different backgrounds and levels of understanding and experience, and be a support and even a comfort to those who are looking for guidance in preparing body and mind for the days that are here.
Send your questions to louise@mastersconnection.com.
QUESTION: MAKING A FIRE
Can you give some suggestions on how to start a fire? More specifically, if I've only got my survival pack, what should I include in there. Will regular matches do the trick?
Always, always have three ways to make fire. This is your most important survival skill and equipment. Start with small roll-type cigarette or pipe lighters. Get the good ones that can be refilled, with an adjustable flame height. Don't count on the cheap throw-aways. I have found this out the hard way. Second, have good waterproof kitchen/camping type matches, kept in an air and watertight container of your choice. Third, have a magnesium bar and striker type fire starter. I always carry recycled vitamin bottles stuffed full of pre-made, very flammable fire starting tinder , stuffing as much as I can in the bottles. This is the secret to fire starting even in difficult situations, which is when you will need it the most.
This is just a brief overview on how to make a fire. If you live in this area, (Yelm & Rainier Washington) take my upcoming survival and preparedness classes. One whole day is on fire making. It's that important!
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Abigail Haddock responds:
Oh, I hear strains of Kumbaya in my head and see visions of all the Girl Scout camping trips I went on as a youngster!
Simple answer ...get a magnesium fire starter and always have a jackknife handy. Learn to find tinder (dried grass, pine needles, tree fibers etc.), scrape off some magnesium, create a spark with the flint side of the
In an emergency, under stress, or in the pouring rain, you are not going to rub sticks together to make an ember and ultimately create a fire. Only in good conditions are you going to have the fortitude to accomplish that task. I know how to do it. It is impressive but it takes time and energy better spent elsewhere, in my humble opinion. I am glad I have the skill locked away in my neuronet, but give me something simple when I am hungry, wet and tired, to start my fire any day. Yes, I do have a magnesium fire starter and jackknife in my briefcase. Just ask Louise!!
Thank you experts! I would like to comment by saying PRACTICE THESE FIRE MAKING TECHNIQUES BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO USE THEM!
NEXT WEEK: Powdered Milk. Rumor has it, it tastes a lot better than it used to.
Be well. Be happy. Be outrageous.
Louise
