Must-Have Gear For Camping
Whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned outdoor veteran, choosing the best camping gear for your trip can be the difference between a memorable or miserable time.
From unique camping accessories to hiking gadgets, there are plenty of products that can enhance your next trip into the wilderness. Not sure what to pack? Keep reading for all the must-have gear you should bring with you on your next camping.
Tent
Even if you prefer slumbering under the vast indigo sky, you should always have a tent or some other emergency shelter on hand just in case. Otherwise, a midnight deluge, heavy dew, or freak snowstorm is sure to leave you miserable, drenched, and at risk of hypothermia.
A tent can shield you and your camping gear from high winds as well. Whether you opt for the best solo-person tent or a larger luxurious-style tent, make sure you bring along all of its necessary accessories: stakes, tent poles, rope, and a rain fly.
Camping Light
Unless you’re intending to go to sleep every night soon after the sun has set, having a camping light will be indispensable. Getting up out of your sleeping bag and out of your tent in the middle of the night for a potty break is tough enough without making your way through unknown terrain in the dark. A lantern is a perfect lighting choice as it can stand on its own while casting light in every direction. Headlamps are also a great choice.
Sleeping Bag
Resting on a soft bed of moss and leaves may sound like a lot of fun, but it certainly won’t keep you warm when the sun goes down. Temperatures can drop significantly at nightfall— sometimes 20 degrees or more.
Keep in mind, too, that many creepy-crawlers are most active during the night and may chance upon your unswaddled body. Going camping without a sleeping bag risks an uncomfortable night’s sleep at best, exposure at worst.
Fire Starter
Camping isn’t camping without a crackling campfire, so you’ll want the tools to get one started quickly. Campers can start fires with matches, a flint, and steel, a cigarette lighter, or a magnesium fire starter. If you opt for matches, make sure they are waterproof.
It’s not a bad plan to pack two fire starters in case one fails. We love the Stealth Angel Arc Lighter because all it takes is a single push of a button to unleash a fiercely powerful dual-arc beam that ferociously ignites anything it touches—perfect for camping!
First Aid Kit
It’s unlikely that you will experience a life-threatening injury while camping, but even a long day of hiking can result in painful blisters that require a little bit of TLC. Small scrapes and cuts, too, can quickly become infected if left untreated, so always be sure to keep antiseptic and bandages on hand.
Your first aid kit should include other important necessities as well: gauze, scissors, adhesive, a CPR mouth barrier, an emergency whistle, and tweezers. Be sure to toss in bottles of insect repellent and sunscreen as well. Sunburn and bug bites can end your trip as quickly as any laceration.
If you’d rather purchase a pre-made first aid kit rather than making one, you can—just be sure to purchase from a reputable company like Stealth Angel Survival to make sure you are getting a top-quality kit.
Water Bottle
Did you know that the average healthy adult can live three weeks without food but only three days without water? Water is essential for surviving in the great outdoors, and the further off the beaten path you go, the more quickly it seems to run out.
The last thing any camper or hiker wants is to be stuck without a fresh supply of water, especially since drinking from a lake or pond can cause serious illness due to bacteria. Even if the wilderness you are heading into is just a few yards from your car, carry a day’s supply of the wet stuff in a Camelbak or other large container. Then, keep water purification tablets or a filter on hand just in case you have to refill from a nearby stream.
Pocket Knife
The pocket knife is, without a doubt, the ultimate multipurpose tool of the great outdoors. A knife can be used to trim a rope, slice cheese or sausage, cut fishing line, dice bait, sharpen a stick, open a tightly sealed package, deal with tangled vines, skin a small animal, or tighten a screw. Without a knife, such tasks become nearly to outright impossible. If you leave your camping knife at home, expect to feel frustrated, and often.
Map And Compass
If your camping itinerary calls for hiking in remote areas, you won’t want to head out without a map and compass or GPS. Constant changes in the sun’s position can make forest landmarks seem unfamiliar, causing campers to become disoriented. Unprepared campers have occasionally wandered the woods for days before finding their way back to camp or getting rescued.
Getting stranded or lost in a wooded area—especially with a limited water supply—is no joke. Even if your pals just want to walk down to the nearest creek from your campsite, make sure they have a way to return back to safety.
Warm Rainproof Clothes
You’ve checked the weather forecast for weeks—no rain, only sun. Unfortunately, the weather can change in a blink-of-an-eye, leaving you stuck in the cold rain or huddling around your campfire for warmth. With an extra set of camping clothes, you won’t have to worry about sudden weather changes—you can simply swap out wet clothes for dry ones or layer during a cold front.
Toilet Paper
Hardcore survivalists may view toilet paper as an unnecessary luxury in the outdoors, but many campers swear to its necessity. Leaves and bark make poor substitutes for latrine duty in both hygiene and comfort, and a chapped backside can make sitting pretty painful. Also, campgrounds with bathroom facilities have been known to run out of paper from time to time.
If you are camping in the deep woods and are concerned about the environmental impact of using TP, purchase some that’s biodegradable or take a refuse bag for disposal.
A Final Word
Camping is a timeless way to spend a weekend or vacation communing with nature, family, and friends. It’s good for the mind, body, and spirit to mix up our routines and get outside for some serious fun and relaxation. However, as much fun as camping is, it can turn into a real nightmare if you forget to bring some important must-have gear.
When planning your next camping trip, get organized and put together a checklist of all the essential items that you’ll need to bring along with you, like a tent, food, water, and first aid. This way, you can easily check each item off your list as you pack them into the car to avoid leaving anything behind.
Sources:
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/camping/why-camp.htm
Survival Tools Every Adventurer Needs
Surviving in the wilderness – no matter the time of year or location – depends more on wit than the gear you have in your backpack. But all survivalists still recommend assembling an emergency kit of tools to stay with you at all times in the wild. Why? Because if you happen to get injured or lost, the right gear can mean the difference between a comfortable night spent outside and a cold one—that’s why.
Survival Tools To Save Your Life
Did you know that the average healthy adult can survive up to three weeks without eating food, but only three days without drinking water and three hours outside of their core body temperature? Knowing this, what to include in your survival kit can literally mean the difference between life and death. The good news is, you can greatly increase your chance of survival—if you have the right tools with you.
Not sure which tools to pack for your next adventure? We’ve got your back! Keep reading to learn which survival tools every adventurer needs.
Fire Starter
Starting a fire outdoors is one of the most important things you need to be able to do if you are to survive in the cold, cook yourself a meal, and fight off hungry predators. However, starting a fire can be tough.
This is where a durable fire starter becomes the number one critical survival tool to have with you at all times. We love the Stealth Angel Arc Lighter because it doesn’t even require a flame. The powerful electric dual-arc plasma-based beam will instantly set material on fire, without having to cup your hand over a flickering flame or pray you have enough fuel left.
Survival Knife/ Multi-Tool
Choosing the right survival knife, multi-tool, or a combo of the two is a pretty personal decision. Find a tool that has features well-aligned with your specific skills and the type of tasks you anticipate performing and is the right weight and size for your survival kit.
Some individuals tend to feel safer knowing they have a knife in hand, while others prefer to stick to just a multi-tool that won’t attract attention. There are compact, machete-like blades that will help you chop firewood, and there are multi-tools packed with the essentials like scissors, a file, mini knife, and bottle opener. Whatever you choose, always be sure to keep it in your pack.
Map And Compass
You shouldn’t ever rely solely on GPS when in a survival situation. You should also carry a local map and compass with you to help navigate your way back to safety. It’s good to have both a road map and a topographic map on you, just in case. These items are compact, lightweight, and easy to pack, so there is really no reason not to carry them with you in your survival kit.
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is a critical survival item that should be accessible at all times. When putting together your medical kit, think beyond band-aids and antibiotic ointment for scrapes and cuts, and be sure to include other items that can double as survival tools. For example, ACE bandages can serve a variety of purposes, splints for supporting fractures, gauze pads for larger wounds, steri-strips to help close wounds with uneven edges, and alcohol prep-pads that can be used for a variety of purposes.
You can save a lot of guesswork by purchasing a great first aid kit specifically designed for outdoor survival. We love the Stealth Angel Survival Field Medic First Aid Kit because it is packed with 36 first aid supplies and literally bursts at the seams with everything you may need in a survival situation, from tools like glass breakers and fire-starters to swabs, bandages, compresses, and more.
Be sure to keep one of these kits in your pack at all times. It’s also a good idea to purchase a separate first aid kit and keep it in your car, especially if you’re frequently car camping or rocking the van lifestyle.
Emergency Survival Whistle
A powerful, loud whistle comes in handy for all sorts of wilderness applications. It is one of the most essential survival tools when you’re frequently going into the backcountry where people are few and far between—and wildlife is abundant.
A loud whistle of at least 100 decibels will cut through ambient noise and travel great distances. Keep your whistle attached to your person—not just your pack—in case you get separated from your gear.
Paracord
Everyone from serious campers to the hobbits in The Lord of The Rings will expound on the importance of traveling with rope. But for the modern survivalist, paracord—which was invented in 1935 for military use—is the way to go.
Paracord is made of lightweight, sturdy nylon and multiple strands of fiber and is incredibly useful as a survival tool. It can be used to repair gear and rig tarps, taken apart for sewing thread or fishing line, or even braided together to create a broader, stronger rope.
A wearable survival rope, like the Stealth Angel Paracord Survival EDC Belt, gives you access to rope on your person at all times.
Water Filtration
Did you know that the average human can only survive three days without water? With that in mind, it goes without saying that water is of the utmost importance when it comes to survival. Not only should you always carry more water than what you think you’ll need for your hike, but it’s also smart to have some type of water filter on hand, too.
In a survival situation, you may need to collect and treat questionable water while you wait for help. You might also need to treat water so you will have it on hand for cleaning wounds, repairing gear, or cooking food.
Flashlight / Headlamp
The only thing that is harder than being lost or trying to survive the unexpected is having to manage in the dark. Even if you are only planning a hike during the day, it is always wise to have your headlamp on hand, or at least a small pocket-size flashlight.
You never know when you might lose track of your time and surroundings, which could cause you to spend an entire night out in the woods. Our eyes become pretty much useless at night so make sure you are prepared and always keep a headlamp or flashlight in your emergency survival kit.
A Final Word
All in all, these are our eight survival tools that every adventurer should bring with them when they are out in the wilderness. It doesn’t matter if it is a short hike or a long one, you need to bring these essential survival tools with you. By carrying the right equipment, you will not just be able to take care of yourself in any survival situation but also help other hikers as well.
When putting together your survival tools for your emergency kit, be sure to purchase from a top-notch company like Stealth Angel Survival—the leader in emergency preparedness kits, supplies, and survival products. Whether you are looking for survival tools, first aid kits, or bug-out-bags, Stealth Angel Survival has your back!
Sources:
How To Guide For Proper Camping
Campfires, tents, and long hikes through the wilderness come to mind when most people think about camping. But the truth is that there is so much more to a camping trip than just picking a spot and pitching a tent.
We live our day-to-day lives surrounded by the immense traffic of a relentlessly busy life. Dust, city lights, and smog cloud our vision of the stars at night; busy streets and skyscrapers prevent us from appreciating the charm of nature.
The solution? A great expanse of indigo sky looking over you, with shimmering stars serving as your rooftop for the evening. Camping in the midst of such natural bliss gives us a very much-needed reminder of the beauty that Mother Nature provides.
Sleeping in the wilderness provides the experience of a lifetime: a chance to detox from daily life and all the unavoidable stresses that come along with it. Nature is, without a doubt, the perfect antidote to calm your overwhelmed mind and escape the constant flow of difficult situations that life places in our path.
Are you thinking about going camping, but don’t know where to start? Keep reading to learn about all of the proper gear and equipment you’ll need on your camping trip.
Essential Camping Gear And Hiking Equipment
Camping is like staying in a primitive cabin—minus the cabin. So, in addition to your tent, it’s important to pack as though you’re going to stay someplace where there is little to no furniture, no stove, no refrigerator, no electricity, and the cupboards are bare. In a developed campground, you’ll have running water and a community restroom a few hundred feet away. A typical campsite has a table, a place to park your car, and a place to pitch a tent.
Here are a handful of tips to help you decide exactly what you need to bring for your first camping trip:
Tents, Tarps, Poles, Tie Downs, And Stakes
You will obviously need something to sleep in, so a tent should be at the very top of your priority list. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all tent, though. Tents come in a wide variety of types and sizes. Some ultra-light tents are best suited for backpacking while other, bulky and heavier options come with spacious luxury options best suited for hanging out near a vehicle. To confuse matters even more, most tents come in two different options: three-season and four-season.
Three-season tents are good for just about anything—except for the deep of winter—while four-season tents have more durable fabric and can handle snowdrifts.
Think about where you are looking to camp and choose your tent wisely.
Sleeping Bag
Like tents, sleeping bags come in many different weights and handle many different temperatures—so you have to do a little research to find the one that is best suited for you, where you plan to camp, and when. If you are planning on only going fair-weather camping, a summer sleeping bag is probably all you will need, but a 3-season bag will give you a little more leeway for unpredictable shoulder-season weather.
If you are always cold—or always hot—be sure to adjust accordingly. Also, it’s a good idea to purchase a sleeping bag that is lightweight and portable, like the ones found at Stealth Angel Survival. Transporting a sleeping bag that doesn’t weigh a hundred pounds will make your life so much easier when you’re camping—trust us on this one.
Sleeping Pad
A sleeping pad is like the mattress on a bed, but it also comes with high-tech insulation to prevent you from losing any body heat on the cold ground. Big air mattresses might look temptingly plush, but their lack of insulation will leave you feeling a bit chilly.
Take a look at the specifications when comparing sleeping pads—if one is longer, wider, or thicker and has a higher insulation value, it will be much more comfortable and do a better job at keeping you warm.
Pro Tip: Set your tent, sleeping bag, and pad up early, so you don’t get stuck having to do it in the dark!
Lighting
Campsites don’t usually have illumination, so you will need to bring your own. A flashlight is okay, but a headlamp will free up your hands for camp tasks. A lantern is nice for ambient light, and you can also build a campfire.
Cooler
You might already have a cooler, and it’ll probably work fine. Just be sure that you have enough capacity for your perishable food items and a few cold ones, along with enough ice to keep ‘em that way.
Stove
A classic two-burner propane camping stove should do the trick for your first camping trip. You won’t spend a fortune, and you can easily cook breakfast and prepare your morning cup of joe at the same time. But don’t forget to bring at least a couple of fuel canisters and a lighter with you.
We also love the Stealth Angel Ultralight Portable Outdoor Pot Pan and Stove Set. It is a compact, lightweight investment in your ability to make even fancy dishes in the wilderness!
Water Filtration And Treatment Tablets
If you’re camping, you should bring as much H2O as you’d possibly need in your vehicle, so it’s easily accessible. Some campsites even have fresh drinking water available, but you should bring some anyway—just in case.
If you are backpacking, however, that’s not an option, so you will need a water filtration system. We love the Stealth Angel Personal Water Filter because it eliminates 99.9999% of bacteria and then passes the water through activated carbon and antibacterial beads for an even more thorough cleanse—perfect for camping!
Hiking Shoes Or Boots
Depending on the type of camping trip you’re taking, you will want to grab some hiking boots or shoes. Your favorite pair of sneakers will do just fine in many places, but if you are planning on going for a longer backpacking trip, dedicated boots or shoes are much more comfortable since they offer more padding, stability, and support for your ankles as you cross rough terrain.
First Aid Kit
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that you will need a first aid kit for camping. You can either purchase a great kit from a company like Stealth Angel Survival or make your own first aid kit. If you decide to make your own kit, make sure to include supplies such as the usual aspirins, bandages, and gauze, as well as some hiking-specific stuff like moleskin for blisters, bug sprays, and aloe vera for burns.
A Final Word
Whatever you buy and pack for your first camping trip, just make sure to consider your climate, needs, and environment. If you are heading off to the desert for a long weekend in July, you can skip the rain jacket and thermal-insulated sleeping bag, but doing so would be foolish if you are heading into the rainforest.
Perhaps you want to do a little bit of fishing—in which case you will need a pole and some bait. Maybe you are going on a big bike camping trip, which requires not only camping equipment but also a slew of cycling-specific extras.
The fact is, regardless of the millions of generic camping guides and checklists out there, the items that you will need to bring with you camping really depend on where you’re going and what you’re doing. The items we listed above are a good start and will help on almost any camping adventure, but be sure to plan accordingly and purchase the right supplies.
Not sure where to get camping equipment? Check out Stealth Angel Survival, the leader in emergency preparedness kits, supplies, and survival products. Whether you are looking for flashlights and sleeping bags or water tablets and first aid, Stealth Angel Survival has your back.
Sources:
https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/campfire-safety/how-to-build-your-campfire
How To Dehydrate Food For Long Term Survival
Imagine this: an emergency or disastrous event takes place that forces the entire world to shut down completely. However, humans are still alive. There is a continuous life-threat outside the security of the walls of your home. There are no doctors, no hospitals open, no food supply, gas and electricity are shut off, and you and your family are stuck in a place with absolutely no help at all. Nobody has even the slightest clue as to how long this confusing situation will last.
In such an event, everything else can be managed. You’ll find a way to sleep without a comfy pillow and live in dirty clothes, but you won’t be able to live without food. With that in mind, dehydrated food is part of the emergency food basics that you should have.
Dehydrated food is easy and can be used to create tasty, healthy meals year-round. Not sure how to dehydrate food for long term survival? We’ve got you covered.
Prepper’s Guide To Dehydrating
The key to dehydrating food for long term storage is to remove any moisture from the food so mold, bacterial growth, and yeast can’t thrive. Dehydration should also be carried out to ensure that the food’s nutritional content is preserved. This enhances its longevity as well.
Estimates show that dehydrating food items results in nutritional and freshness loss of only three to five percent as opposed to a sixty to eighty percent loss due to canning. Alongside this, essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals are not lost or altered in the drying process.
This includes vitamin A and C, carbs, fiber, selenium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium. The result? You get nutrient-packed food that can be stored long-term.
Dehydrating food for long-term storage is not something most people think of, but it should be because it can result in shelf-stable food that lasts for 25 to 30 years.
How To Dehydrate Food For Long Term Storage
If you’re wondering about how to dehydrate food for long term storage, the first step is the equipment you will need.
You need to first invest in a long term dehydrator with solid trays that slide in and out. While nestled slotted trays are also a good option, stackable switchable trays are the most convenient.
Dry your food using a dehydrator with an adjustable thermostat for optimal results.
Some meats tend to take a little more time to dry at higher temps to enable long-term storage. Meat can be a little tricky, and the temperature should be stable and in the right range.
The dehydrator should have an airflow technology that evenly distributes heat to prevent extreme dryness outside and moisture retention inside. The basic dehydrators on the market eliminate moisture, while advanced models come with an auto shut off, fans, and digital timers. They also have a lot of room for drying space.
What To Dehydrate
When it boils down to how to dehydrate food for long-term storage, many issues can be avoided by selecting the right things. Certain foods may sound like a delicious treat during a disaster, but they won’t last very long or dehydrate easily.
Here’s a list of tasty food items that you can dehydrate for long term storage:
Fruits
Dehydrated fruits and veggies are pretty much the best dehydrated foods. They work for vegans too! The process to dehydrate fresh fruits is to pick them when they are very ripe. Wash the fruit properly and cut them into thick slices. It’s much easier to dehydrate thinner pieces rather than whole fruits and thick slices. Some small-sized fruits can sometimes be dehydrated whole if they are not too dense.
Keep in mind that this process does lead to a little bit of fruit discoloration. Although this doesn’t mean that the fruits aren’t safe to consume, some picky eaters tend to get bothered by this. To prevent this issue, you can use ascorbic acid. Simply soak your slices in this acid before dehydrating them, and voila! No discoloration.
Vegetables
Veggies work pretty much the same as fruits. However, the main difference is that the quantity of acid is lesser than vegetables, so they tend to dry up much more quickly than fruits. To dehydrate, start by picking ripe veggies and washing them well. Then, cut the vegetable into thin slices just like with fruits. After that, you will have to blanch your veggies.
The process to do this is simple: boil the vegetable slices, followed by instantly putting them in ice-cold water once they are boiled. This is crucial so that the flavor and nutrients in the veggies remain preserved. After that, dehydrate them just like the fruits.
The recommended fruits and veggies to dehydrate for long-term storage include:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Cherries
- Plums
- Grapes
- Pears
- Tomatoes
- Beets
- Carrots
- Celery
- Corn
- Onions
- Peas
- Turnips
- Potatoes
Meat
When you’re thinking of how to dehydrate food items for long-term storage, you can’t ignore your protein supply. Without meat, you will have a really tough time surviving, because proteins are the main source of energy. Always stick with lean meats because fatty meats are not easy to dehydrate because of the fat content.
If you are using fresh meat, you will have to treat it in order to kill any harmful bacteria that may be present. After that, throw it into the freezer and freeze it for a few days. Once it’s fully cold, cutting the meat into thin slices will be much easier.
Beef is the easiest meat to dehydrate. Make sure you cut the meat against the direction of the grains. Also, never cut a slice that is thicker than a quarter inch.
The Process
The process of dehydrating food for long-term storage is pretty simple. The only challenging thing is to get the timing right. If your food slices aren’t extremely thin or too thick, the suggested time will do the work.
Since dehydration needs to be done on really slow heat to prevent the loss of nutrients, it’s a long process. For this reason, dehydrators with timers tend to work best.
When it comes to fruits, apples will take around six to eight hours to properly dehydrate. On the other hand, bananas can take up to ten hours, while berries need more than twelve hours for dehydration. Some veggies will be good to go in a couple of hours, but others will need up to sixteen hours.
Storing The Right Way
Airtight containers are vital for the long-term storage of dehydrated food. Among some of the handiest options are sealable buckets, cans, and plastic or metal containers that come with a seal. It is crucial that the container you pick is airtight. Otherwise, the oxygen will cause the food to oxidize, minimize the shelf life of the food, vitamin content, and lower the nutritional value.
Conclusion
Using a dehydrator is an excellent way to boost your long-term survival food storage. We recommend using a mix of food items like fresh fruits and veggies because they are loaded with healthy vitamins and minerals to keep you feeling at your best during this stressful time. In order to rehydrate the food to eat it, you’ll also need to have a fresh water supply on hand, which Stealth Angel can help with.
For all of your outdoor and urban survival needs, be sure to check out Stealth Angel Survival, the premier site to find essential outdoors, hiking, camping, adventure, and survival equipment.
Sources:
https://www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/disaster-management/about-disasters/what-is-a-disaster/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-322/ascorbic-acid-vitamin-c-oral/details
Multipurpose Tool: Essential Upgrades in 2021
Multipurpose Tool: Essential Upgrades In 2021
Why buy a whole bunch of tools when you could buy two or three that serve many purposes? In 2021, make some essential upgrades to your tools and supplies. Simplify your life by buying some multipurpose tools. These are tools that look like one specific tool but really serve various functions.
These tools are not the same as a construction multitool. Those are powered devices, such as saws, used for construction and building. The multipurpose tools we are talking about will come in handy for your day-to-day life, but they can also act as essential survival supplies.
The best part about multipurpose tools is that the saying “less is more” is really true. They may look like one tool, but they can help with lots of projects and tasks and help in survival situations. Instead of paying for both a set of tools and survival supplies, look at 4Patriots multipurpose tools for a simpler and more cost-effective solution.
We will discuss the benefits of multipurpose tools and which ones you should have your eye on for the new year. It is always best to be prepared for emergency situations and day-to-day work that needs to be done around your home. These tools will help you make it through anything.
What Are Some Examples Of Multipurpose Tools?
One great thing about multipurpose tools is that there’s always a tool that will meet your specific need. If you are looking for something to use at home, keep in your emergency supply kits, or take on camping trips and wilderness adventures, we’ve got you covered.
Below, you’ll find a list of the best multipurpose tools to help you make upgrades to your tool collection for the new year.
- Liberty Blade Tactical Knife: A high-quality knife has many uses, especially for outdoor wilderness situations. You can use this tough knife to cut kindling, dig small holes, skin meat, and gut fish. You can also shave a beard and trim hair, cut through rope and zip ties, and you can protect yourself with it.
- Car Escape Tool: This is an essential multipurpose tool that anyone who owns a car should have. You can keep it on your keychain to make sure you have it anytime you drive a vehicle. This is a 3-in-1 tool, which includes a whistle, window breaker, and seatbelt cutter. While it is not a tool you can use for projects or around the home, it is a tool that can get you out of almost any emergency situation in your car.
- Firebolt Waterproof Tactical Arc Lighter and Flashlight: This is a 2-in-1 tool that can help give you two of the most important things for safety and survival: fire and light. These are two of the essential elements of survival. It is a flashlight with three light settings, as well as a lighter. This is a great idea for camping and outdoor trips or to keep in your survival kit at home. It is even great for everyday use to light candles or a fire, and to use as a basic flashlight.
- Ready Shovel: This is a must-have for any outdoor activities. It is a 3-in-1 survival shovel that has serrated edges. These edges can cut through thick foliage, plants and roots, hard dirt, and even ice. It is compact and can fit in your backpack for hiking and camping. It includes a nail remover, hex wrench, and a compass. On top of all that, it has a mini survival kit that fits inside the handle. This is the ultimate multipurpose for any outdoor activity.
- Blackout Beacon Emergency Light: This multipurpose tool is geared more towards emergencies but can be used in some day-to-day situations. It has a motion-sensing night light, a handheld flashlight, and an emergency light that turns on when a power outage happens. Keep some on hand for power outages and blackouts, so you never have to be in the dark again.
- Staples of Survival Kit: This pocket-sized kit is not necessarily a multipurpose tool, but it can help save the day in lots of situations. It has an 11-in-1 multipurpose pocket knife, pliers, wire saw, whistle, fire starter, compass, and a small first aid kit. This is the ultimate kit for survival and emergencies.
Almost all of these tools can be used in everyday life. You can always use a flashlight, lighter, and a knife to cut things. This is part of what makes these multipurpose tools so versatile. They work in every situation, emergency or not. Having some of them in your home or packing them when you go outdoors will make your life a whole lot easier, and more importantly, safer.
Why Do You Need Multipurpose Tools?
We have already briefly mentioned some reasons why you need multipurpose tools. Here is a list of the top reasons:
- Simplify Things: Simplicity is key. Using a multipurpose tool means you will need overall fewer tools in your collection. This means your tools will take up less space, and you will have fewer tools to haul around.
- Convenience: It is so much easier to have one tool that does it all. Instead of fumbling through multiple tools, certain situations and projects can utilize one tool instead of multiple.
- Emergency Preparedness: Having one multipurpose tool on hand or in your emergency survival kit might just save your life. From the car to your home, multitools can keep you safe and get you out of tricky situations.
- Cost-effective/Money Saver: Buying one or two multipurpose tools is a huge money saver. You will not need to purchase as many single-use tools. Instead, you will pay for a multitool that has many uses.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why you should consider upgrading to multipurpose tools in 2021. They are convenient and help to simplify your tool collection. They are also cost-effective and can help you save money.
Multipurpose tools help to ensure you are always prepared, even if an emergency arises. You will not have to locate multiple tools if you are in a pinch. Everyone can benefit from having a multipurpose tool, whether you are preparing for an emergency or simply need to complete projects at home.
From pocket knives to survival kits and multipurpose flashlights, 4Patriots has you covered. There are so many unique gadgets that you should add to your collection for safety, emergency preparedness, and everyday use.
Sources:
Wilderness Survival: Everything You Need To Know
Wilderness Survival: Everything You Need To Know
It doesn’t matter whether you are camping, hiking, or your car breaks down on the side of the road in a rural area. Everyone should have some knowledge about wilderness survival. If you do outdoor activities regularly, it is especially important that you know what to do in case you find yourself in trouble.
Even if there is not an emergency and you are not stranded, there are some supplies and tools you should have on hand. Keep these things with you at all times when you are in the wilderness for an extended period of time.
For example, if you camp regularly, wilderness survival should be at the top of the list of things to know. The same goes for being an avid hiker, mountain biker, or any other outdoor activity that requires you to be outside.
The good news is that there are tools and kits that can make things very easy for you. You want to make sure you have items that don’t take up too much space and aren’t too heavy. This is in case you have to travel on foot carrying everything.
Even if you don’t find yourself outdoors too much, you might find this information helpful. You never know when you might find yourself in a tricky situation. And most importantly, you never know when wilderness survival tips might just save your life!
What Supplies Do I Need To Survive In The Wilderness?
The supplies you need to survive in the wilderness can vary depending on lots of things. This includes location, climate, terrain, and accessibility to shelter, food, and water. There are some supplies that are essential to survival no matter who you are or where you go.
Below, we put together some items that should be on your checklist when shopping for wilderness survival supplies. All of these items can be found at 4Patriots!
- Staples of Survival Kit: This the ultimate mini-kit can help you in lots of situations. One of the best things about this kit is that it’s pocket-sized. This makes it perfect for packing and carrying around. It includes 6 tools, including a wire cutter, a compass, a multipurpose tool, and a whistle. It even has some basic first aid supplies.
- Compass: This military-grade compass will make sure you are headed in the right direction. You don’t need batteries or electricity to operate it. You’ll always know where you are headed. It comes with a lanyard for easy carrying.
- Firestarter: No matter the climate, it gets cold at night. To survive, you will need a fire to keep warm. It is also needed for boiling water and cooking. Warmth, clean water, and well-cooked food are three of the most important things for survival! Having a fire starter will make things easier. You do not need to rub sticks together… only to get a small spark.
- Water Filter: Boiling your water is a good way to remove contamination. However, it is better to be safe than sorry. Having a water filter will ensure 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, pollutants, and other harmful things are removed from your water. It is the safest and best way to make sure you have clean water to drink.
- Knife: Having a sharp and high-quality knife is essential. You can use it to hunt, to cut things, and for self-defense. Make sure it is very sharp. It should be able to cut through everything from rope to food. If you only have room for one tool, make it a knife.
Is Camping Gear Helpful For Wilderness Survival?
Yes! Camping gear is extremely helpful for wilderness survival. Any products you take with you to go camping will come in handy if you are trying to survive in the wilderness.
Some of these items include sleeping bags, lanterns, fire starters, food, water, shelter, and protective clothing gear. A lot of the items we have discussed in this article crossover between camping supplies and survival gear.
What Tips And Tricks Should I Know For Wilderness Survival?
Supplies can’t save you if you don’t know what to do with them. There are some survival skills you should learn to go with your survival supplies.
- Learn how to build a shelter: Take a sturdy branch and lean it against a tree. Take other branches and stack more branches on one side. Then, add insulating layers like leaves and moss.
- Learn how to build a fire: You will need kindling and wood that is stacked with room for oxygen to flow through. If you have paper or wrappers, use those to start the fire. Slowly add small twigs and branches to help the fire grow.
- Be able to identify edible plants: For this, memorization is key. Buy books on edible plants and study them. Stick with ones that are really obvious, like wild spinach, blackberries, things like that. If you have any doubts about a plant, don’t eat it.
- Know how to navigate: If you have a compass, learn how to use it. Otherwise, your best bet is to use the sun and stars to navigate. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. At night, look for the Polaris/The Big Dipper. Then you will know which way true north is.
Conclusion
You never know when you might run into a dangerous situation. All you can do is be prepared. Preparedness will give you the best shot at making it out alive. While not all emergency situations are life and death, they are still more dangerous if they occur in the wilderness.
You will need certain supplies to survive. Consider that you need food, clean water, and shelter when deciding what supplies you will need. Keep them with you when you are outdoors. Of course, if you are going for a jog or a bike ride, you don’t need to bring all this stuff with you. However, going camping and hiking or exploring more isolated spots requires being prepared with supplies and gear.
Learn a few basic survival skills, like learning about edible plants, building fires, and building shelters. You don’t need to be an expert in order to survive. You just need to know the basics to help you get by until you reach safety.
Sources:
https://www.twineagles.org/wilderness-survival-guide.html
https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/12-outdoor-survival-skills-every-guy-should-master/
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/things-you-need-for-wilderness-survival/
Boy Scouts of America’s Middle Tennessee Council Thrives During Pandemic
The longtime motto of the Boy Scouts of America is “Be prepared.” We at Nashville, Tennessee-based 4Patriots couldn’t have said it any better.
That’s why we’re so happy to be associated with the Middle Tennessee Council of Boy Scouts of America.
Recently the Council held its 20th Annual Extravaganza fundraising event. Despite the event being held virtually for the first time ever, it raised more funds (grossing over $100,000) for the organization than any previous Extravaganza.
Normally the event is a formal gala with hundreds of people in attendance and approximately 200 auction items placed around the room.
Virtual Fundraiser Exceeds Expectations
“Due to COVID-19, we realized early on that we were not going to be able to hold an in-person event,” said Zach Ross, Director of Development for the Council.
“But the online auction was fantastic. With the event being virtual, we were able to cast a wider net.
“Among the higher ticket items were a golf trip to Juno, Florida in a private plane, a one-week visit to a private house in France and a trip to Lake Tahoe.
“We also received some great preparedness items from 4Patriots that were very well received. Including a solar-powered generator, tactical flashlights, power banks, emergency weather radios, personal water filters and survival food.
“The money we raised will go a long way toward benefiting Scouts in Middle Tennessee.”
Mission and Vision Prepare Scouts
The mission of the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
The vision of the Council is to foster the character development, citizenship training and physical fitness of these young people through an emphasis on outdoor program experiences.
Together, the mission and vision help prepare them to be responsible, contributing members of society throughout their lifetime.
Variety of Programs
Scouting programs for youths ages 5-21 break down as follows:
- Cub Scouting – kindergarten through grade 5, or ages 5 to 10
- Scouts BSA – grades 6 through 12, or ages 11 to 18
- STEM Scouts – co-educational, grades 3 through 12, or ages 8 to 18
- Venturing – coeducational, ages 14 to 21
- Exploring – coeducational, ages 14 to 21
Each program uses unique and proven methods of youth development. All programs have a foundation of leadership, community service, self-reliance and a duty to God and country.
Impressive Statistics
The Middle Tennessee Council, BSA youth membership is 18,640. This represents a membership increase of 24 percent since 2015.
Scouting programs are neighborhood-centered and led by trained adult volunteer mentors. There are more than 5,000 registered volunteers.
In 2019, 359 young people earned the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, while 10,445 earned rank advancements.
Scouts and their leaders recorded 56,098 hours of service in projects at churches, schools and other local nonprofit organizations.
Four Camping Sites
The Middle Tennessee Council utilizes four different camping sites, each of which the Council owns and operates.
They are the Parish Reservation at Rock Island, the Grimes Canoe Base on the Buffalo River, the Boxwell Scout Reservation on Old Hickory Lane and the Latimer Reservation on Cumberland Plateau.
“These sites are spread out, which helps because we serve 37 counties,” Zach said. “If units want to use a facility, they don’t have to travel far to do that.
“The Parish Reservation is for primitive camping and Boxwell is where we hold our summer camp. Latimer is more about high adventure including climbing and the Grimes Canoe Base is about canoeing.”
Need-Based Assistance Programs
Although membership fees are reasonable, sometimes they pose a challenge for lower income families. That’s where the Council’s special assistance program comes in.
In 2019, more than 2,060 youths and 168 adults received some type of assistance totaling nearly $150,000. Even more was budgeted for 2020.
“The Special Assistance program and the Scoutreach Initiative (engaging at-risk children in Scouting programs) have grown,” Zach said.
“We’re raising more money to fund these programs and growing our membership. We also receive grants from foundations that can only be used to support this initiative.”
Wanting to Leave a Legacy
Zach was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. He played baseball at Milligan College in Elizabethton and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
After working in retail as a store manager, he moved to Wyoming and spent two years as a ranch hand.
“There wasn’t a whole lot to do there, so I started a co-ed softball league and some Little League baseball and softball teams,” Zach said. “I saw what it did for the kids, so when I returned to Tennessee I wanted to do something with a purpose that would leave a legacy.”
He was hired by the Boy Scouts of America in early 2014, starting as a district executive and working in fundraising, as well as membership and volunteer recruitment.
Zach has now been in Scouting for almost seven years with three different Councils. With the Middle Tennessee Council, he oversees fund development and marketing.
Battling COVID-19 Challenges
As with nearly every organization, the pandemic presented challenges Zach and others had to work around in 2020.
“Summer camp was cancelled in its traditional sense, but we did Merit Badge Days in one day at Boxwell, instead of a week-long camping experience,” Zach said.
“We took all of the kids’ temperatures when they arrived and kept them in clusters of 20 or fewer.
“Whichever merit badge a kid was trying to earn, they stayed in that area and we brought lunch to them. We did the same thing for the fall and winter camps.
‘Hope Is on the Horizon’
“Normally, day camp involves arts, crafts, and outdoor activities including shooting BB guns and archery,” he continued. “But this year we did ‘Day Camp at Your Doorstep,’ collecting materials and shipping them to Scouts’ homes.
“We also had social distance courts of honors and earning merit badges through online video conferencing.
“The older kids are pretty acclimated with Zoom so they planned some of their own activities. It was a little more challenging with the Cub Scout level, especially getting them to stay in front of a camera for a while. But Scouting is adaptable.
“2020 was the 100th anniversary of the Middle Tennessee Council and we had to postpone several special events for that.
“But hope is on the horizon. 2021 will be the 100th anniversary of the Boxwell Reservation, so our plan is to celebrate both the anniversaries.”
One thing is for certain. Young people who go through the Scouting program will be better prepared for whatever life throws at them.
10 health benefits of camping
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Page Title Section” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#000000″ background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_color_gradient_direction=”120deg” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_image=”https://survival-gobag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/bb.jpeg” custom_margin=”-165px|||||” custom_padding=”110px||110px|”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”Page Title Area” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”Poppins|600|||||||” header_font_size=”60px” header_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_font=”||||||||” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”||20px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_style=”fade” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”40px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”off|desktop”] 10 Benefits of outdoor climbing to our health [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ […]
Why People Loves Outdoor Climbing?
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Page Title Section” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#000000″ background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_color_gradient_direction=”120deg” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_image=”https://survival-gobag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/aca.jpeg” custom_margin=”-165px|||||” custom_padding=”110px||110px|”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”Page Title Area” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”Poppins|600|||||||” header_font_size=”60px” header_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_font=”||||||||” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”||20px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_style=”fade” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”40px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”off|desktop”] Why People Love Camping? [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Class Details Section” _builder_version=”3.22″ […]
Important things to bring when hiking
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Page Title Section” _builder_version=”4.8.0″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#000000″ background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_color_gradient_direction=”120deg” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_image=”https://survival-gobag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/va.jpeg” custom_margin=”-165px|||||” custom_padding=”331px||110px|||”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”Page Title Area” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”Poppins|600|||||||” header_font_size=”60px” header_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_font=”||||||||” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”||20px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_style=”fade” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”40px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”off|desktop”] How to survive in outdoor hiking. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Class Details […]
