13 Best Hunting Survival Knife | You Must Know
A hunting survival knife is essential for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers alike. Designed with durability and versatility, this indispensable blade serves many purposes in the wild. Its robust construction and razor-sharp edge make it ideal for skinning and field dressing games, ensuring efficiency and precision. Furthermore, its sturdy handle provides a secure grip, allowing for […]
13 Best Combat Survival Knives
A combat survival knife is a versatile tool for extreme situations, such as combat, survival, and emergencies. It is a durable and reliable knife for various tasks, including cutting, chopping, piercing, and prying. Combat survival knives are typically made from high-quality, durable stainless steel or carbon steel. That’s designed to withstand harsh conditions and heavy […]
19 Must-Visit Survivalist Stores for Your Next Adventure
Discover top survivalist stores for all your outdoor gear needs. From camping essentials to emergency tools, these stores have you covered for your next adventure. Gear up and embrace the great outdoors! 19 Must-Visit Survivalist Stores for Your Next Adventure Below, we explain the top 19 survivalist stores for the next adventure. Wilderness Outfitters Wilderness […]
11 Best Bushmaster Survival Knife
The Bushmaster survival knife is a trusted companion for outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists. Bushmaster knives are designed to excel in demanding wilderness conditions and are known for their ruggedness and reliability. With their durable construction and razor-sharp blades, these knives can tackle various tasks, from cutting through rigid materials to preparing food and building shelters. […]
Top 11 Paracord Braid Patterns
Paracord braid patterns refer to the techniques and designs used to weave and create intricate structures with 550 Paracord. These patterns involve interlacing and knotting the strands of Paracord in specific ways to form various decorative and functional items. Each design results in a distinct and visually appealing appearance, with some being simple and easy […]
5 Paracord Types Everyone Should Know
Different paracord types are available to cater to various needs and applications. Each paracord type is designed with specific characteristics, breaking strengths and features, making them suitable for different situations. Varying paracord types allow users to choose the most appropriate cordage based on their requirements. Paracord, short for “parachute cord,” is a durable and versatile […]
Does Your Vehicle Emergency Kit Include These Items?
With summer in full swing, it will be at least four months before we have to concern ourselves with the possibility of getting stuck in a snow-covered ditch or finding ourselves in a gridlock of vehicles due to wintry weather.
And that means you don’t need an emergency kit in the car, right? Wrong. There are many factors other than blizzards that could cause you to get stuck or stranded somewhere while you’re driving this summer.
Whether you drive a car, van, or truck, you could experience a number of roadside issues that could leave you waiting hours for help.
Violent storms can cause accidents. Accidents can cause major delays on roadways with the nearest exit miles away. Then of course there are mechanical issues, flat tires, and so on.
So wherever you are, wherever you’re headed, it’s important to always have an emergency roadside assistance kit on hand.
Keeping an emergency kit in your car is a no-brainer no matter what month of the year it is. Today I want to share what I feel are the 17 most important items to include in that kit. Of course, always keep your gas tank as full as possible and your cellphone charged up.
- Water. If your car stops running, it’s going to get very hot this summer when you’re stuck somewhere. Staying hydrated until help arrives is essential. Keep your water in pouches that can withstand the heat.
- Non-perishable food. Granola bars and trail mix come to mind immediately, but you also want to make sure you have food bars that can handle high temperatures.
- First-aid kit. The more comprehensive this kit is, the better. Make sure it includes bandages of different sizes, alcohol pads, scissors, pain relievers, hygiene items, and a lot more.
- Blankets. If you’re stuck for a long time, you’ll need some sleep, and it could get chilly in your car overnight.
- Ponchos. Fixing a flat or walking to the nearest shelter in the rain won’t be fun. But at least with a poncho most of your clothes can stay dry.
- Tools. Including screwdrivers, wrenches, cordless drill & bit set, and socket & ratchet set.
- Fix-a-flat sealant and air compressor
- Road flares
- Flashlight. Tactical is best because of its many features. If all you have is a standard flashlight, make sure to include extra batteries.
- Jumper cables
- Glow sticks
- Work gloves
- Duct tape
- Copies of important documents including insurance papers and health information
- Emergency radio
- Reflective vest
- Windshield washer fluid
What’s the best thing about having an emergency car kit? Peace of mind. You know that no matter what happens, you’ll be prepared.
A vehicle emergency kit is an absolute must if you’re planning to leave your driveway this summer. And the more useful items you can include in it, the better your chances of dealing effectively with any problem you encounter.
Preparedness Notes for Sunday — July 9, 2023
The Battle of the Wilderness was fought on July 9th, 1755, in the French and Indian War. — I was saddened to hear that Kevin Reeve, the founder and director of OnPoint Tactical Tracking School passed away on July 5th. Our condolences to his family and to his fellow trainers Kelly, Mike, and Steve. SurvivalBlog […]
5 Items You Need for Summer Storms
As much as we love sunshine, there’s something to be said for the occasional pitter-patter of raindrops on a summer day.
Those rainfalls often cool off a hot day and add much-needed moisture to ground that tends to harden and grass that yellows in the heat.
But as we’ve seen over and over again, those pleasant, light rainfalls can turn into heavy and sometimes violent storms that do more damage than good.
Hurricanes and tornadoes threaten lives, lightning strikes start fires in dry areas, and strong storms and high winds destroy property.
A vast majority of us will experience some of those severe weather events this summer. So today I want to do what I can to help you deal with them. Below are 5 items you need in order to prepare for inevitable summer storms.
NOAA emergency radio
When extreme weather comes calling, you need something reliable to provide you with details about the storm and where it’s headed. And you need it quickly. That’s where a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration radio comes in.
In addition to early weather warnings, this radio provides evacuation routes and other breaking news. It broadcasts National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts, and hazard info 24/7. If you program your county’s 6-digit code into it, a loud alarm will sound when dangerous weather approaches.
You want an emergency radio with a powerful battery inside. But you also want other ways to charge it. Including plugging it into an outlet, exposing the radio’s solar panel to the sun, and cranking it up by hand.
You also want a radio with a bright flashlight and a power bank to charge other devices, including your cellphone. Plus one that’s compact and durable. Choose one that includes a sturdy metal clip, a charging indicator, and an earphone jack so you can listen discreetly. We’d recommend the 4Patriots Liberty Band Emergency Solar Radios – it provides vital info, charges in the sun, has a bright light component & more.
Backup power
There’s a common denominator when it comes to summer storms: power outages. They are pretty much inevitable. And they can cause a wide variety of problems.
That’s why it’s crucial to have backup power. This could be in the form of a solar-powered generator, or on a smaller scale, a handheld power bank to keep smaller devices running.
Tactical flashlight
The power outage we just discussed means you’ll need flashlights to light your way in the dark. The best ones are tactical flashlights. They have multiple light settings, a hammer for breaking a window, and a sharp edge to cut a seatbelt or rope.
Some flashlights also include a small solar panel so you can charge it with the sun. Plus a compass and a magnetic mount so you can secure your flashlight to a metal surface to free up both hands for work.
Survival food
Nobody has to be told that non-perishable food is important to have during a summer storm that is likely to knock out power for a while. Especially a storm that might keep you indoors longer than normal due to outdoor damage and blocked roads.
Choose an emergency food supply with a long shelf life and which is offered in disaster-resistant packaging. It should be easy to prepare, taste good, and provide plenty of variety.
Bug-out bag
Nobody wants to leave their home during or immediately after a storm. But sometimes that becomes necessary due to damage done to a home. It might not be safe to stay if the storm was severe enough.
If each member of a household has a bug-out bag fully stocked and located near the front door, it will save lots of time and reduce the panic level. Fill it – in advance – with all the essentials you might need over the course of several days.
The More You Know…
The more information you have, the better prepared you’ll be. Now you have an idea of some must-haves to get you through summer storm season. Tornadoes are already ripping through cities and hurricanes are brewing in the warm summer water. A disaster won’t wait for you to be ready.
Can a Solar-Powered Flashlight Really Do All This?
Today I want to tell you about one of our most popular devices that you can charge with just the power of the sun. So stay tuned.
When you need light in the darkness, a flashlight is your go-to tool, right? Well, it wasn’t always this way. When men and women needed light before electricity, they used torches.
Those torches were followed eventually by candles, oil lamps, and kerosene lamps. Each involved a flame that had to be carried, so there was always the possibility of danger.
Near the end of the 19th century, the incandescent light bulb and the dry battery were invented.
Flash lights needed to rest
The flashlight was created in 1899 and there’s a good reason the word “flash” was used in its name. The small, incandescent electric light bulb was powered by batteries, with a contact switch turning the light on and off.
But these “flash lights” could not emit light for very long. They ran on zinc-carbon batteries that could not provide constant current for extended periods of time. The user had to give these flashlights frequent rests.
Over time, as batteries improved and tungsten replaced carbon filaments, the flashlight became more dependable and popular.
Most of today’s flashlights run on disposable or rechargeable batteries. They use incandescent light bulbs or LEDs (light-emitting diodes). Incandescent bulbs have a tungsten filament. LEDs are semiconductors that emit light.
Standard flashlights still the same
Today, there are two basic types of flashlights: standard and tactical. We’ve all probably used a standard flashlight at one time or another.
Many still require big batteries and they still turn on the same way and weigh about the same.
These basic everyday flashlights are handy when you’re looking for something under a couch. Or when you’re trying to find something in a dark closet. And, of course, when the power goes out in your home.
Standard flashlights are usually constructed from inexpensive aluminum or cheap plastic and low-grade steel. Many don’t last too long.
A variety of devices
Among the many flashlights we see today are incandescent bulb flashlights, LED flashlights and high-intensity discharge flashlights. Plus pressurized gas flashlights, solar-powered flashlights and headlamp flashlights.
As well as shake flashlights, USB-charging flashlights and utility flashlights. And heavy-duty flashlights and work flashlights.
They all have their place, and some are more effective than others. A high-intensity discharge flashlight, for example, can deliver a very bright light. That’s due to an electrical current that runs through a ball of ionized gas.
A shake flashlight turns on by shaking it. It’s powered by magnets that cause a reaction to produce light. A headlamp flashlight is ideal if you need to shine light on something you’re using both hands to work on.
Tactical flashlights the best choice
Tactical flashlights are far superior to standard flashlights. So why settle for anything less?
Tactical flashlights look and feel much different. They’re more durable and weather-resistant. And they feature a variety of settings, such as strobe and SOS. Once you get used to a tactical flashlight, you’ll probably never use a standard flashlight again.
Most tactical flashlights are made with a higher grade of aluminum and are armor-coated. Normally they are lighter in weight than basic flashlights. And they can resist shocks, corrosion and whatever the weather throws at them.
The average standard flashlight gives you about 10 feet of brightness. That’s approximately 100 lumens. Tactical flashlights provide brightness to about 50 feet. And they give you visibility up to about 100 yards.
What to look for
Here’s what I look for in a tactical flashlight:
- Ultra-bright LED flashlight
- Solar panel
- Power bank
- SOS light & strobe
- Work light
- Seatbelt/rope splitter
- Glass-breaking hammer
- Compass
- Magnet
- Lightweight
- Anti-slip handle
- Adjustable wrist strap
Could a tactical flashlight save your life?
A tactical flashlight is not only superior to a regular flashlight. It could also save your life. Here are six ways that could happen.
Spotting danger in the darkness. If you find yourself walking in a dark area – due to a power outage or if you’re camping in the woods – a flashlight is a big help for finding your way and avoiding pitfalls. You might even spot a human with bad intent or an animal looking for its next meal. Spotting either of them before you get too close could save your life.
Escaping from a hazard zone. If there were a chemical spill near where you live and the power were knocked out, a flashlight might be the only tool at your disposal to help you get out of the region as quickly and safely as possible. The same thing would be true if you were dealing with a fire, flood, earthquake or other disaster that would require you to get away quickly.
Signaling for help. If you get lost in the wilderness, whether during an escape from a bad situation or just a camping trip, or are stranded somewhere, a flashlight could be used to signal for help. Especially if your flashlight has a built-in SOS component or a strobe function to it. Light carries a long distance in a short amount of time – something like 186,000 miles per second – and it will attract attention if someone is able to observe it.
Self-defense from an attacker. There are weapons that would be more useful than a flashlight if you’re attacked. A gun comes to mind first, of course. But most of us don’t have immediate access to that type of weapon when we’re out and about. And there are usually restrictions on how and when they can be carried. A flashlight can temporarily blind an attacker to allow an escape, while its barrel can be used for a counterattack.
A vehicle breakdown. If you have to get out of your vehicle after pulling off to the side of the road, your hazard lights should help other drivers see your car. But they won’t help you see what’s going on under the hood. A flashlight will come in very handy in this situation, as it would if you were changing a tire. And if you have to abandon the car and walk somewhere in the dark, it will help light your way.
Charging a cellphone for an emergency call. If your cellphone is dead and you need to make a call for help, some tactical flashlights will enable you to charge it. That phone call could allow you to escape a very dangerous situation.
Everybody needs a flashlight. And several of them are much better than having just one. But make sure you have tactical flashlights because they can do so much more.
Now that I’ve told you what to look for in a tactical flashlight, let me also tell you that you don’t need to look any farther. Because I have the ideal one for you. It’s called the HaloXT Tactical Flashlight from 4Patriots.
In addition to several light functions, this flashlight has small solar panels so you can charge it with just the power of the sun. As well as a glass breaker, a seatbelt cutter and a compass. The HaloXT also has an anti-slip handle and an adjustable wrist strap.
Despite the fact that it’s small, lightweight and easy to handle, it’s extremely sturdy. That’s because it’s made from aluminum alloy. It can handle abuse. And that includes dropping it on the floor or ground, and banging it against something.
It will continue to perform perfectly. This flashlight is weather-resistant, shock-resistant and corrosion-resistant. It even includes a magnet so you can secure it to your car and use both hands to work.
