Bushcraft and Survival Skills

Camouflage is anything you use to keep yourself, your equipment and position from looking like what they are. Personal camouflage has certain simple rules that will defeat the most obvious sensor on the battlefield; the human eye.

Shape. Your helmet, load bearing web equipment, rifle and other gear have a clear, often square shape, and there are no squares in nature. Break up straight lines with strips of burlap, camo cloth or netting in shades of brown and green. Elastic bands can be sewn to your uniform or equipment straps to facilitate adding camo strips or vegetation. Camo materials should not be attached to your rifle in areas where they may slip and interfere with your firm grip or the mechanical operation of the weapon. It is better to cover the weapon with paint or camouflage tape.

Shine. Most modern military equipment uses plastic or subdued painted metal fasteners and buckles. If the paint has worn off or you are using commercial equipment with shiny buckles, these need to be covered with paint or tape. Other shiny surfaces that can reflect light include binoculars, compasses, watch crystals, plastic map covers and eyeglasses. Little can be done about eyeglasses other than using headgear with a low brim or mosquito netting, but other shiny equipment should be stowed away when not needed and used with caution. Shine also includes skin, even at night when it will reflect moonlight and flares.

Silhouette. Similar in many respects to shape, silhouette includes the outline of the human form and the equipment it is carrying. The shape of the head and shoulders of a man are unmistakable and a bare helmet attracts attention. The use of local vegetation as garnishing helps break up your silhouette. Thick handfuls of grass tucked into your shoulder straps are especially useful in breaking up the distinctive "head and shoulders" shape of the human figure and vegetation added to a helmet breaks the smooth curve of the top and the line of the brim. Take care not to overdo adding local vegetation. You shouldn't need a machete to hack a path through your camouflage to get at your ammo pouch or other necessary equipment. Also, a large bush or tree is sure to attract attention when it starts to move. Silhouette also includes field craft. However well camouflaged you may be, it is little help if you "sky line" yourself by walking along the top of a hill or ridge line, or if you stand against a background of one solid color.

Smell. Even the most urbanized man will develop a good sense of smell after a few days in the open. He will be able to detect engine smells, cooking, body odors and washing. Some smells are hard to minimize. Soaps should be scent-free and activities such as cooking should be confined to daylight hours when other smells are stronger and the air warmer. Rubbish from cooking should be carried away from your operational area and buried only as a second choice. Buried objects are often dug up by animals and can give a good indication of the strength and composition of your patrol or unit as well as its morale. The discipline of refuse removal is important.

Sound. You can make a lot of noise while out on patrol. Your boots can squeak. Your cleaning kit or magazines can rattle in your ammo pouches. Heavy pack frames can creak. Fittings on your weapon can rattle. Radios can have background noise. Coughing and talking can carry for long distances, especially at night. You must become familiar with a silent routine in which hand signals replace the spoken word and conversations are conducted in a whisper. Proper stowage of your gear, taping of slings and other noisy equipment and a final shakedown before a patrol moves out will reduce noise. If digging a position, place sentries far enough out that they will spot an enemy before he hears the sound of digging.

Color. Though most modern combat uniforms are in a disruptive pattern camouflage, there may be times when this is less helpful. The trouble with camo clothing is that in the wrong environment, like cities, it stands out and says "Hey, look at me!" If fighting in built-up areas, a pattern of greys, browns and dull reds would be more useful than the typical woodland BDU pattern. Natural vegetation used to garnish helmets and equipment will fade and change color. Leaves will dry and curl up exposing pale under surfaces. You may have put dark green ferns and leaves into your helmet band while in the woods and then find yourself moving through an area of pale open grassland. Check and change your camouflage regularly. The most obvious color that needs camouflaging is that of human skin, and for that you need G.I. camo stick or, preferably, a commercial camo cream. G.I. camo sticks are issued in loam and light green for use in areas with green vegetation. A sand and light green stick is used in areas lacking green vegetation. A loam and white stick is for use in snow covered terrain. If camo sticks or creme are not available use burnt cork, bark or charcoal for the dark color and mud for the light color. Dark colors are used to reduce the highlights formed by the nose, cheek bones, chin, ears and forehead. Lighter colors are used in areas of shadow under the eyes, nose and chin. When applying camo to your face it is useful to work with a buddy and help each other. G.I. camo sticks are rough on the skin and difficult to apply. A few drops of baby oil, skin lotion or insect repellent rubbed on the skin first will make it much easier to apply. Skin camo needs to be periodically touched-up as you move and sweat. A simple pattern for the face is to apply a light color first to the entire face and then add dark diagonal stripes. The diagonals cut though and break up the horizontal and vertical lines of the eyes nose and mouth.

Good camouflage is almost as important as good marksmanship. A well camouflaged man who is a poor shot will probably survive longer than the poorly concealed expert sniper.

Preppers are going to die...

Preppers are going to die...

In this video, I pull no punches because I care enough about you to tell you just how it is. I realize I may lose some subscribers but that's not what it's about to me, it's about doing the right thing, about living my values and about trying to help. I can't help unless I speak up about something that is really out of line here in the community.

If I'm wrong, tell me where. If I'm right, you have a choice to make. I hope this 4th of July is a turning point for so many of you.

Tags: WROL BUGOUT SHTF Preparedness Prepper Preppers survival survivalism TEOTWAKWI

ARE YOU PREPARED?

In history there are events which stand as milestones marking points of no return. Usually, however such moments are only visible in hind sight.

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It makes no difference what you are prepping for, a SHTF scenario, natural or man made disaster, you need to put together a disaster preparedness kit and checklist to give you and your loved ones a greater chance of survival. It is recommended that you prepare your family to be self-sufficient and self-reliant for at least three days to a week - Keep in mind these suggestions are only Bare Minimum!

Some suggested Preps:

Water:

Store one gallon per person per day. Two quarts for drinking and two quarts for cooking.

Food:

You should have enough non-perishable foods on hand that your family can survive on for at least three days to one week.

Your food items should require no:

• Refrigeration
• Preparation or cooking
• Little or no water

Choose foods that are compact, nutritionally dense, and have a long shelf life.

Cooking:

You should also have several alternative methods for cooking -

• Camp stove/ w Extra Fuel
• Barbecue Grill
• Open Fire

Bug Out Bag, Go Bag, 72 Hr Kit Contents:

• Mess Kit: Plates, Cups, Utensils
• Emergency Preparedness Manual / Survival Manual
• Battery Operated /Manual Crank Flashlight & Radio / w Extra Batteries
• Waterproof Matches / Lighter / Fire Steel
• Candles, Battery Operated Lamps, Lanterns /w Extra Lantern Fuel
• Medical Kit / w First-Aid Manual
• 30 Day Supply of your Prescription Medication if needed
• High Quality Vitamin Supplements
• Can Opener / P-38
• Survival Knife & Camp Axe
• Aluminum Foil
• Garbage Bags / Ties
• Important Documents
• Ample Cash
• Tent / Sleeping Bag / Wool Blankets / Sleeping Mat
• Change of Seasonal Clothes per Person
• Multi-Tool
• Duct-Tape
• Compass
• Water Filter / Water Sanitation Tablets
• Extra Bottled Water
• Canteen / w Metal Cup
• Ziploc / Plastic Bags / Plastic Containers
• Signaling Devices
• Needle & Thread
• Heavy Water Proof Tarp / Drop Cloth/ Plastic Sheeting
• Paracord / Rope / Twine
• Up to Date Local Map
• Sanitation / Personal Hygiene Items
• Feminine supplies
• Soaps / Detergents
• OTC Medicines / Pain Relievers / Antacids / Anti-diarrhea
• Extra Pair of Boots or Shoes / Wool Socks per Person
• Work Gloves
• Rain Gear
• Hats / Gloves
• Sunglasses / Extra Prescription Glasses / Contact Lenses and Supplies

You should have all your important documents organized during normal times; during disasters (man made or natural), you will want to make it a priority. Use this checklist to assemble your documents and make sure they're all up-to-date. You may want to keep some documents in a safe deposit box, fire-proof safe or other secure location. If so, keep copies handy for easy access and take them with you in the even of a disaster.

• Financial Statements
• Bank address and phone number (include all account numbers)
• Retirement accounts name, address, phone numbers
• Credit card numbers and expiration dates
• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• FOID Cards
• Divorce decrees
• Passport
• Citizenship papers
• Adoption papers
• Social Security Cards
• Drivers Licenses
• State and Federal Tax Records
• Fire, Homeowners, and Renters insurance policies
• Life insurance policies
• U.S. Savings Bonds, stocks, securities, deeds and mortgages
• Car title and registration
• Automobile insurance Policies / Cards
• Last will and testament
• Extra set of house and car keys

Considerations for your pets

• Names and descriptions of any pets
• Veterinarian's name, address and phone number
• Extra Food & Water for your pets

Considerations for small children & babies:

• Canned or Powered Formula
• Diapers & Wipes
• Bottles & Nipples
• Powered Milk
• Baby Food
• Medications & Ointment
• Entertainment: Games & Books

Other considerations would include:

• Alternate methods of communications should land lines, cell phones, and internet go down, some suggestions might include battery operated walkie talkies / 2 way radios / FRS/GRS radios etc.
• Alternate evacuation routes and modes of transportation.
• Pre-determined Rendezvous points / Meeting Places.

This is just a rough list of suggestions and items, feel free to add / or delete items for your own personal needs.

Its not just could you leave loved ones behind but would you want to survive without them. The Humanity factor is something most don't consider when training for "bug out scenarios". Asking yourself the hard, dark questions. And could your morality allow to do abandon your friends and family only to out survive them alone.

Any SHTF Scenario or survival situation will have unique aspects that alter the order in which tasks need to be accomplished. It is useful to think in blocks of time.

Example:

First 24 hours

The first 24 hours are crucial in any survival situation. You must make an initial assessment of your situation. Hostiles, weather, terrain, remaining daylight, and available resources will determine which tasks you need to accomplished first.

They should be the following:

1. Shelter
2. Fire
3. Water
4. Signaling

Second 24 hours

After the first 24 hours have passed, you will now know if you can survive. This time period needs to be spent on expanding your knowledge of the area.

By taking the following actions, you will be able to gain valuable knowledge.

• Tools and weapons.

  By scouting a short distance from your shelter to locate the necessary resources, look for water, edible food sources, and game trails.

• Traps and snares.

  As you move further away from your shelter to set traps and snares, you will be able to locate your shelter area from various vantage points. This will enable you to identify likely avenues of approach into your shelter area.

• OPSEC ( Operational Security )

  Knowing the likely avenues of approaches of both man and animal, you can effectively place noise and casualty producing path guards to ensure the security of your shelter area.

For the remainder of your survival situation. This time is spent on continuously improving your survival situation until you are rescued.

Survival Situations & Natural Reactions.

We as humans have been able to survive many changes in our environment throughout the ages. This inherent and innate ability enables us to adapt both mentally and physically to a constantly changing world that keeps us alive. The average person will have some psychological reactions in a Survival Situation or SHTF Scenario.

Listed here are possible major visceral reactions and emotions you might experience within a Survival Situation or SHTF Scenario:

• FEAR. Fear, also known as "Fight or Flight Response", is one possible emotional reaction to a dangerous situation that we believe may have the potential to cause injury, illness or even death. Fear can have a positive effect, as it has the ability to heighten our senses and force us to be more cautious in situations where reckless actions could result in injury.
• ANXIETY. Anxiety is an uneasy, apprehensive feeling of impending doom we get when faced with potentially dangerous situations. A survivor will reduce his or her anxiety by keeping focused on tasks that will ensure their coming through the SHTF ordeal alive.
• ANGER & FRUSTRATION. Frustration arises when a person feels he or she is continually thwarted in his or her attempts to reach a goal. One result of frustration is anger. Possible causes could be, getting lost, breaking or losing equipment, bad weather, inhospitable terrain, or even your own physical limitations are just a few. Frustration and anger can lead to impulsive reactions, irrational behavior, bad decisions, and in some cases, an "I quit" or "I give up" attitude.

• DEPRESSION Depression is close cousin with frustration and anger when faced with the hardships of survival situations or you find that everything is FUBAR. This can lead to a destructive cycle between anger and frustration, and can continue until the person becomes worn down-physically, mentally and emotionally. At this point, he or she starts to give up, and his focus shifts from "What can I do" to "There is nothing I can do." Which if left unchecked, will ultimately lead to your untimely death.
• LONELINESS & BOREDOM Man is, by nature, a social animal and enjoys the company of others. Loneliness and boredom can be another source of depression. For one to survive, you must find ways to keep your mind productively occupied.
• GUILT Whatever circumstances have lead you to your survival situation can sometimes be dramatic or even tragic. It could have been the result of a horrific accident, or some other SHTF scenario, where there was a loss of life. Perhaps you were the sole survivor, or one of a few, survivors left. While naturally relieved to be alive, you might find yourself to be simultaneously mourning the deaths of others who were not as fortunate. If you are to survive, then it is imperative to muster the strength to carry on. Do not let feelings of guilt prevent you from living.