Innholdsfortegnelse for Fall 2020 i Survivor's Edge

Are you tired but restless? Bored but unproductive? Eating too much but still feeling hungry? Unmotivated? Shiftless? Feeling like everything is a waiting game? For the past several months, the daily onslaught of the 24-hour news cycle, the constant fear of contracting COVID-19, the continued efforts to keep family and close ones safe, distanced and protected, as well as the perpetual indecisiveness of the world’s leaders is a heavy burden under which to live. Add to it the threat of riots, violence, uncertainty and the overall frustration of chaos itself being thrown upside down. Your life is on hold. You may be furloughed from your job or laid off. Your company might not even be solvent any longer, or it could have been burned down. You might be feeling an…

WILDERNESS SURVIVAL TRAINING CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BE TWEEN LIFE AND DEATH WHEN AN OUTING DOESN’T GO TO PLAN. One slip was all it took. Twenty-six-year-old Joseph Oldendorf was in the middle of a 20-mile run on the Duckabush Trail in a remote section of Olympic National Forest in Washington State—only 8 miles to go. He was making good time despite the icy trail. Though the sunlight was waning, Oldendorf wore only lightweight running clothes; extra layers, a headlamp, 3 liters of water and trail mix were all he had in his pack. But one icy patch, a fall and a loud crack changed his plans. “When I sat down, I saw my foot flop to the side, so I knew my ankle was detached,” he said. Oldendorf checked his…

Bruising, pain and swelling may be signs of a sprain or a fracture. So, how can the post-disaster family medic tell the difference when orthopedic surgeons might need X-rays, MRIs and CT scans? Look for these signs: A fracture is commonly associated with severe pain and inability to use the bone. A victim of a sprain may be able to put some weight (uncomfortably) on the area. Fractures may appear more swollen and bruised than sprains. A gritty or crunching sensation (called “crepitus”) may be felt when broken ends of a bone rub together. A deep cut at the site may be a sign of an open fracture in which the bone has retreated into the body. A tuning fork on the bone below the level of a fracture will…

The austere medic should have a working knowledge of dental anatomy. For example, in cases of avulsed teeth, it’s important to know if a root is missing. A normal adult mouth has 32 teeth categorized by type. 8 INCISORS: the middlemost four teeth on the upper and lower jaw (one root). 4 CANINES (CUSPIDS): the pointed teeth just outside the incisors (one root). 8 PREMOLARS: teeth between the canines and molars (upper first premolar: two roots; upper second: one or two; lower premolars: one root). 8 MOLARS: flat teeth in the rear of the mouth, best at grinding food (upper molars: three roots; lower molars: two roots). 4 WISDOM TEETH OR THIRD MOLARS (UPPER: THREE ROOTS; LOWER: two roots, but some variability): These teeth erupt at around age 18 but…

Historically, the earliest slingshots where known by the name of rogatka in Russia, where they were invented soon after the vulcanization of rubber reached the country around 1850. They were mostly considered toys because of their use by young boys and the fact that Wham-O popularized the device in 1948, followed by the Wrist-Rocket produced by Saunders Archery in 1954. Homemade slingshots could be easily made by finding a suitable Y-shaped branch and cutting strips of inner tube rubber. It wasn’t until recently that the slingshot received a major upscaling when the Pocket Shot was introduced. Instead of a traditional forked handle and pair of rubber tubing for the bands, the Pocket Shot employs a latex pouch nestled inside a hardened plastic circular frame. Instead of pinching a projectile in…

Courtesy of deadfood.com FLAT SQUIRREL AND VEGETABLE SOUP • ½ cup fully cooked squirrel (about 3 ounces), chopped• 4½ cups chicken broth• 2 medium potatoes, cubed• ½ cup chopped onion• 1½ cups broccoli florets• 1 cup cauliflower florets• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg In a large saucepan, combine chicken broth, potatoes and onion. Bring to boil, then reduce the heat. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in broccoli, cauliflower and nutmeg. Simmer for about 5 minutes more or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in flat squirrel and heat throughout. Serves 4. VENISON TID BITS • 1 pound venison tenderloin, cut into chunks• ⅓ cup red wine• 1 teaspoon thyme• ½ teaspoon tarragon• 1 cup oil• 6 tablespoons soy sauce• 1½ teaspoons garlic powder• ½ cup onions, diced• ½ cup…

While scientists cannot predict if the nation’s next big earthquake will happen next week or in the next thirty years, they can be certain that it will be largely destructive due to the sheer pressure that is building up along the earth’s plates or fault lines. Technology in engineering and updated building codes, especially in California, have decreased the chance of building destruction during a quake, and monitoring systems for earthquakes have jumped by leaps and bounds in the past several decades. Although an earthquake is one of nature’s most intense displays of power, there are certain things that we can do to aid in our health and safety: Before an Earthquake Develop a Plan: It is important for individuals and families to develop emergency family plans that contain meeting…

General Supplies: Water (1 gallon per person per day) First aid kit (ample, freshly stocked) First aid manual (know how to use it) Food (canned or individually packaged or precooked) Manual can opener Blankets or sleeping bags for each family member Critical personal medication and eyeglasses Fire Extinguishers (dry chemical, type ABC) Flashlights (spare batteries and bulbs) Lantern with alternate power sources Watch or clock (battery or spring wound) Dust masks Radio with alternate power sources Spare cash (variety of denominations) Duct tape, rope, twine, zip-ties Basic tool kit Tent or emergency shelters Cooking Supplies: Grill or camp stove (charcoal or propane) Matches, lighters, fire starters Small pots and pans w/utensils Plastic bags (various sizes) Paper plates, plastic cups and utensils Paper towels and cleaning supplies Sanitation Supplies: Large plastic…

With a pack full of the barest of essentials and stuck in the middle of nowhere with prospects of your rescue looking razor thin, your immediate focus should be on obtaining a reliable source of water and food. Without it, your days are considerably numbered to just a handful or so. Nature isn’t specifically forgiving, and animals (rife with protein and other good-for-you energy-producing nutrients) don’t just curl up onto your dinner plate. You’ll likely burn a great deal of energy finding your next meal, so it make sense to keep in your emergency or bugout pack a ready-to-eat source of energy in the form of seafood. Safe Catch was started by two childhood friends in the ‘burbs of San Francisco with the idea of bringing the safest seafood to…

How good are acorns for you? Here are some details from a chart that was published in Temalpakh: Cahuilla Indian Knowledge and Usage of Plants by Lowell John Bean and Katherine Siva Saubel. Their source was Martin A. Baumhoff’s Ecological Determinants of Aboriginal California Populations (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1963, p. 162) as modified by Carl Brandt Wolf in California Wild Tree Crops (Claremont, CA: Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, 1945, Table 1) and Spencer’s Handbook of Biological Data (W. B. Saunders Co., New York, 1956, Table 156). CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF HULLED ACORNS (IN PERCENT) NUTRITIONAL AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF ACORNS/SOURCE USDA…

THE CONCEPT OF BEING SITUATIONALLY AWARE IS FOREIGN TO MOST PEOPLE IN SOCIETY TODAY, BUT WHY? ONE WORD: DISTRACTIONS. WE ARE SO PREOCCUPIED BY OUR PHONES AND EVERYTHING GOING ON AROUND US AND THOSE WE ENTERTAIN THAT WE CAN’T SEEM TO REALIZE THAT THERE ARE PREDATORS AMONG US. BEING SITUATIONALLY AWARE IS NOT PART OF OUR GENETIC CODE; IT’S A MINDSETÑIT’S A CHOICE. It’s not called “true crime” because it’s sensational, trust me. I’ve listened to plenty of podcasts and read enough articles to realize that the world is crawling with people just waiting for the right opportunity to strike. I’ve spoken to both women and men about their thoughts on being socially aware, and sadly, ladies, we’re coming up short. Men are naturally street-smart, whereas women often want to…

“IF YOU KNOW CRKT, THEN YOU KNOW THE NAME KIT CARSON AND HIS ICONIC DESIGNS.” What happens when innovators like Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT) stumble across old Kit Carson designs in a private collection? They add new technology, in a really cool marriage of old and innovative, and share it with the world. If you know CRKT, then you know the name Kit Carson and his iconic designs. Although I have always liked the Kit Carson designs of the past, the new M40 series of knives are quickly becoming my favorites. While at this year’s SHOT Show, I made my way to the CRKT booth—as I always do at any of the shows—to visit with my friends there. As I got closer to the booth, I noticed three…

For most of us, everything we think we know about bullets and their interaction with the human body, we learned from movies and television. The laws of physics need not apply to the Silver Screen, as most of what we’ve seen is wrong, and our understanding of ballistics is distorted. Bullets fired into water can’t travel for more than a couple feet. Bullets can easily go through car doors, wooden tables, 55-gallon drums, and drywall. When a person is struck by a bullet, his body is immediately thrown backwards. It’s not like that. WHAT DOES A BULLET DO? THERE’S A REASON guns haven’t changed much in the last couple hundred years: They’re effective at what they are designed to do. A typical 9mm handgun can propel a bullet down range…

The family fallout shelter represented the pervasive fear of nuclear attack and its aftermath in the thick of the Cold War of the 1950s and 60s. The assumptions afford a typical American family is that with enough preparations, they could survive such an attack. On the cover of this issue of Survivor’s Edge we shows the remains of an actual fallout shelter from The Smithsonian’s collection of mid-Century Americana. This free-standing, double-hulled steel shelter was installed beneath the front yard of Mr. and Mrs. Murland E. Anderson of Ft. Wayne, Indiana in 1955. The Andersons purchased their shelter from J. L. Haverstock, a Ft. Wayne realtor who began selling family fallout shelters as a sideline in early 1950s after reading an article about them in Life magazine. The Andersons maintained…

Splints do not completely encircle the injured limb, leaving room if swelling occurs and preserving blood flow and nerve function. They can be tightened or loosened easily as needed. Splints, unfortunately, don’t provide the same level of immobilization as a cast. Excessive movement may delay or prevent bone healing. Since a cast surrounds the site of injury and is less flexible, excessive swelling can cause pain and even pressure sores. The biggest risk of cast placement, however, is compartment syndrome, which occurs when pressure within the muscles increases dangerously. This pressure prevents nourishment and oxygen from reaching nerve and muscle cells.…

It was the fall of 2018 near Anchorage, Alaska, when Jimmy Cox used his Glock 20 to stop an 800-pound grizzly at 10 yards with just two shots. His friends had been bow-hunting moose the previous evening, but running into darkness, they decided to wait for daylight to track the bull they’d shot. Experienced hunters, they were aware that a bear was likely to have tracked it, too. The next morning, Cox led the way with his Glock 20 on his side loaded with HSM bear loads, hard-cast lead loads capable of traveling 1,040 feet per second. Searching the area, they heard some crows acting up and headed that way. And just as suspected, there was indeed a bear. Protecting the moose it had claimed as its own, the grizzly…

Broken teeth are called dental fractures and are often categorized based on the number of layers breached. ELLIS I FRACTURES: In an Ellis I fracture, only the enamel has been broken, and no dentin or pulp is exposed. Outside of cosmetic appearance, this is only a problem if there’s a sharp edge to the tooth. ELLIS II FRACTURES: Ellis II fractures show yellow or beige dentin under the enamel. The composition of dentin is different than enamel: Bacteria is more likely to enter and infect the tooth. This is especially the case with pediatric dental trauma. As the area may be sensitive, it should be covered if possible. ELLIS III FRACTURES: In Ellis III fractures, the pulp and dentin are both exposed, and pain is likely. Red markings or blood…

There are about 21 different species of venomous snakes in the United States, which includes 16 rattlesnakes, two copperheads, two coral snakes, and one cottonmouth. All of them are dangerous, and each of their bites can be fatal. A typical rattlesnake, for example, can strike from a distance about one-half its length (a three-foot snake has an 18-inch strike radius), and its fangs can plunge about a half-inch into your skin. When you’re in the middle of nowhere, on the trail or out in the sticks, you don’t want to give any rattler the opportunity to sink his hypodermic needles into your calf. Danner’s 17-inch snake boots, the San Angelo, is protection you need in snake country. Since most snake bites happen in the lower legs, above the ankle and…

The first things everyone wants to know when they hear news of an earthquake is where was it and how big was it? The size of an earthquake is usually given in terms of the Richter Scale, a scale developed by seismologist and physicist Charles F. Richter in 1935. His method measured the amplitude (height) of the largest recorded wave of the earthquake at a specific distance from the earthquake. For each increase of 1 point on the Richter Scale, there is a tenfold increase in amplitude of the wave, but a 1 point increase on the Richter Scale does not mean a tenfold increase in the size of the earthquake. A better way to measure the size of an earthquake is to measure the amount of energy released by…

1 PREPARE: Maintain a good stock of supplies and gear that will keep you and your family self-sustained for at least two weeks. Each person will need a minimum of 1,200 calories per day. 2 INFORM: Educate yourself and your family about the dangers of earthquakes, the possible affects, and the likely results given your environment. 3 DROP: When the earthquake starts, drop onto your hands and knees before the quake has a chance to knock you down. This way, you’ll be more stable, out of possible flying debris, and still able to move. 4 COVER: If possible, get under or next to a large piece of furniture like a heavy desk or table. If you can’t reach suitable cover, keep your hands and arms over your head and neck.…

You can leave beach balls and surfboards at home when packing for beach survival, but these necessities must never be overlooked. SUNSCREEN This should be a no-brainer. Sunscreen with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a must while you’re exposed to the sun’s powerful rays. Sunscreen is fully effective for only up to two hours after application, less time when you get wet from perspiration or swimming. You can never have too much. BROAD-BRIMMED HAT You may not give this item enough credit, but without it you’ll be sure to notice—with a sunburn all over your face! A large hat provides shade from the sun wherever you go. An all-around brim can also protect parts of your neck and upper torso. If you don’t have one, make one by…

Crossbows have been around for a long, long time—2,500 years in fact, give or take, and even back in those days, they were capable of launching a bolt a couple hundred yards with enough energy to pierce armor. Modern crossbows aren’t called upon to perform such feats today; instead, they should be able to launch a bolt accurately at its target with enough kinetic energy to humanely take a game animal. Plus, the modern archer isn’t likely to have a crew along to help cock the crossbow as was necessary for powerful ancient crossbows. The new Sen-X Onyx Tactical Crossbow powered by Steambow is a hybrid of a traditional crossbow and a precharged pneumatic (PCP) airgun. Utilizing an onboard high-pressure air (HPA) tank, the Onyx doesn’t use the HPA to…

TRADITIONAL • Shell the acorns. • Grind them to a flour. • Put the acorn flour into a cotton bag and the bag into a free-standing colander. • Pour water through the acorn flour, so the bitter tannic acid washes out. Do this until the acorn flour is no longer bitter when you taste it. • Then, you can dry it for later use or use it right away. (I mix half and half with another flour). APPALACHIAN • Shell the acorns. • Boil them whole, changing the water as it gets “muddy.” Keep boiling and changing the water until an acorn is no longer bitter when you taste it. • Send the acorns through a meat grinder. • The coarse meal can then be used right away or dried…

One of the gaps in survival literature is how to get your kids prepared. In 2018, Mykel and Ruth Hawke sought to fill that gap with their book Family Survival Guide. Their show, Man, Woman, Wild, was a more unique premise than most, and over the course of its two seasons, it more than adequately conveyed the depth of Mykel’s experience and Ruth’s willingness to tough it out and learn from her husband. This put the couple in a unique position to share their experiences from both sides of the survival spectrum as it relates to a common goal: raising prepared and capable children. Survivor’s Edge had the opportunity to chat with Mykel about the book. SE: When was the first time that one of your kids demonstrated a survival…

Kit Carson’s name is familiar to many knife enthusiasts acquainted with CRKT. Kit’s M16 line is perhaps one of the most recognizable series in the CRKT lineup and was named one of the Top 10 Tactical Knives of the Decade by Blade magazine. With his signature flipper opening mechanism, which we have all grown accustomed to, Kit Carson forever changed the way we open knives. A retired master sergeant, Harold “Kit” Carson went on to become a high-profile member of The Knifemakers’ Guild, and even mentored some of the great knife-makers, such as Ken Onion, during his prolific career. In 2012 Kit received a well-earned induction into the Cutlery Hall of Fame, where his memory will live on forever, as a revered knife-maker of 44 years. Sadly, in 2014 Kit…

If the first half of 2020 is any indication of what’s to come, you’re going to need to stock up on a lot more than just toilet paper. Check out this fall’s must-haves for surviving the rest of the year and beyond. 1. AUTO-ORDNANCE “Promises Kept” 1911 Sometimes you just wake up feeling presidential. For those days, you need to hit the range with Auto-Ordnance’s latest custom in honor of Mr. 4-5: a 5-inchbarreled 1911 chambered in .45 ACP. The left side of the frame presents a laser-etched image of the White House with the phrase “Promises Made, Promises Kept,” while the high-quality wood right grip features an image of President Trump and his 2020 campaign poster. Made entirely in the United States, this 1911 is a reminder to “Keep…

With the recent strife and looting that has taken place in cities around the country, security for yourself and your belongs isn’t just a thing relegated to your home or car. Your personal possessions—wallet, keys, computer, work documents, and even a mobile cache of survival gear—is threatened when you enter a riot zone (or stray too close to a police action after curfew). Having a backpack that screams to passersby that the contents are valuable is a sure way to be liberated of said valuables. Rifle cases, range bags, and an obvious computer-laden valise might as well have flashing arrows above them with a “take me” sign attached. The Tasmanian Tiger “deployment pack” tips the scales at a meager 3.75 pounds. It fits squarely in the middle of your back,…

The off-grid medic won’t have all the bells and whistles that your local dentist does, but a medic can still handle a lot of issues if they have the right equipment. The long-term austere dental kit should reasonably pack the following materials: #150 Dental extractor #151 Dental extractor #23 Dental extractor #53R Dental extractor #53L Dental extractor #12B Dental elevator #301 Dental elevator Spoon excavator Combo metal dental pick/scraper/scaler Metal tweezer/pickup Metal dental mirror Needle holder/hemostat Small scissors Syringe curved tip 4-0 or 5-0 absorbable sutures Earloop face masks ActCel hemostatic gauze 2x2 4-ounce hydrogen peroxide Medium-large pink eraser or dental block 15-milliliter organic clove bud essential oil (eugenol) Zinc oxide powder (largesized packet) 2x2 sterile gauze Antiseptic wipes Cotton dental pellets Cotton dental rolls Nitrile gloves Dental picks Dental…

ALABAMA: Only non-protected animals and game animals during the open season may be harvested. ALASKA: Individuals are not allowed to harvest animals, but moose, caribou and other species may be distributed through volunteer organizations. ARIZONA: Big-game animals may be collected with a permit. ARKANSAS: No restrictions. CALIFORNIA: Specific areas by 2022. COLORADO: Proper authorization required. GEORGIA: Native species may be harvested; must notify the state about road-killed black bears. IDAHO: Must report the time of the salvage. ILLINOIS: Proper hunting or trapping license and/or habitat stamp required. INDIANA: Permit required. MARYLAND: Permit required. MASSACHUSETTS: Permit required; must submit roadkill for state inspection. MICHIGAN: Deer and bear may be salvaged with a permit. MISSOURI: Permit required, must contact a Conservation Agent within 24 hours of collection, for authorization. MONTANA: No restrictions…

1 VALDIVIA, CHILE MAY 22, 1960 MAGNITUDE: 9.5 This earthquake killed 1,655 people, injured 3,000, and left two million homeless. It caused $550 million damage, while the tsunami caused deaths and damage as far away as Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines. The quake’s cracked the ground more than 600 miles long. Two days after the initial quake, the nearby volcano Puyehue erupted, sending ash and steam up to 3 miles into the atmosphere over a period of several weeks. 2 PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND, ALASKA MARCH 28, 1964 MAGNITUDE: 9.2 The resulting tsunami took 128 lives and caused overall $311 million in damage. The earthquake was felt mainly over Alaska, as well as some places in Canada, while the tsunami created by it caused damage as far away as Hawaii. The…

WRITE IT OUT Using stones, logs or other large natural or manmade debris, spell out SOS on the beach, so you can get noticed by passing aircraft. Be sure to place this far enough from the water or it may get washed out to sea. FIRE IT UP Smoke billowing upward makes a great signal for passing ships or planes. But white smoke may not do the job, so if you can find old tires, Styrofoam coolers or other plastic or rubber items, throw them on to create rich, black smoke. The contrast against the white beach or blue sea will make your location far more noticeable. WAVING THE FLAG A long pole with a colorful piece of cloth makes a great signal flag. Find the highest point near your…

Fire is life. It provides light. It cooks your food. It gives you warmth. It can show the way. It can signal for your rescue. There isn’t a more needed skill in a survival situation than the ability to start a fire. The problem is that fire starting skills can be difficult and this is especially true when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate. Rain, wind, snow, and other weather situations can hamper even the most stalwart fire starting system. Percussion firemaking is eons old. Iron pyrite was first struck with flint rocks to create high-temperature sparks. During the Iron Age, flint and steel were used, at least until the 1830s when the friction match was invented. Instead of flint, the man-made alloy ferrocerium is used these days. It is a combination…