Survive!

[frostfire]

Originally Posted by kgoerz

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant
Its the same reason they don't place Rangers, SEALS and Special Forces personnel on "Fear Factor", it would get real boring not being able to "scare" anyone.

I remember a few years back when the reality shows starting getting big USASOC put out a message banning all AD personnel from applying for these shows. Do's anyone remember this message?

kgoerz,
IIRC, there was a reality show called Combat Mission. I can't remember whether the participant are all veterans or not, but some of them are SOF personnel. Maybe this is before the ban?

On a different (& less serious) note, one reality show I'd like to see service men & women participating is Takeshi Castle (aka. MXC). Although most of the obstacles are plain hillarious, some should belong to boot camp and/or circus.

On the survival topic, are there scenarios in Robin Sage that require survival training akin to SERE? Please disregard if this touches OPSEC or ruins the movie.

[longtab]

Originally Posted by mugwump

Hey all, first post after my intro.

An old bush pilot once told me that knowledge of how to make a fish trap and a dozen locking snares were worth their weight in gold (he carried 36 in various sizes -- eating off of snares is a numbers game). Obviously not good for the tobacco tin/back pocket kit, but exactly right for the scenario The Reaper proposed. I have no idea who these guys are, I post the link just to show what I'm talking about. http://www.nwtrappers.com/catalog/snares/thompson.asp

A correctly sized locking snare can reliably take anything from squirrels and rabbits to deer.

Edited to add:

I remembered he also said a "drowner" was easier to make if you were going to carry brass wire and not pre-made locking snares. It was easier to find tracks by the water, and thereby sites for the trap, and you were less likely to lose your catch to a predator. He said a hole dug in the bank was irresistable to many animals. I never followed his advice to learn how to do this, but I did find --> http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/PDF/chpt9.pdf

Good links mugwump.

As a high schooler growing up running a trap-line in Alaska I used a couple drowners for wolves. I would stake my trap below the high tide line, bait it, cover it so bald eagles couldn't get into it, and fetch up a drowned wolf once ever two days like clockwork.

[mugwump]

longtab -- Really enjoyed your AAR on Survivorman. My son, daughter and I like to dive/fish in less-traveled places and I am always harping on them to learn survival skills. My daughter and I watch Survivorman together -- that show is priceless for examples of how to kill yourself! Check out the Costa Rica one if you get a chance. It's a hoot.

[mugwump]

I've seen a 'wire saw' in a few lists in this thread. I used to carry one until I had to use it in anger in northern Ontario in a combined conifer and birch forest. It gummed up badly and then broke. I purchased a "Pocket ChainSaw" and have never looked back. The can it's stored in is little bigger than a can of Cope and has room for small fishing items as well. It's hard to believe how well these little buggers work until you try one. So well in fact that I'd prefer one over a hatchet. With one of these and a decent sheath knife you could make a really sturdy shelter in no time.

http://www.pocketchainsaw.com/

There's a good review at Equipped To Survive:

http://www.equipped.com/saws.htm

[Bill Harsey]

Originally Posted by mugwump

I've seen a 'wire saw' in a few lists in this thread. I used to carry one until I had to use it in anger in northern Ontario in a combined conifer and birch forest. It gummed up badly and then broke. I purchased a "Pocket ChainSaw" and have never looked back. The can it's stored in is little bigger than a can of Cope and has room for small fishing items as well. It's hard to believe how well these little buggers work until you try one. So well in fact that I'd prefer one over a hatchet. With one of these and a decent sheath knife you could make a really sturdy shelter in no time.

http://www.pocketchainsaw.com/

There's a good review at Equipped To Survive:

http://www.equipped.com/saws.htm

Out here in Oregon we buy those with the motors on 'em

[mugwump]

Originally Posted by Bill Harsey

Out here in Oregon we buy those with the motors on 'em

Hey, I've played DOOM. Those things are dangerous.

[Detcord]

Originally Posted by mugwump

...I purchased a "Pocket ChainSaw"...The can it's stored in is little bigger than a can of Cope...

Oh, that brings back memories...

For some, a fresh roll of Copenhagen is considered a mandatory survival item!!!

Seriously, the can has a wax base making it not only relatively water resistant for things like matches or gunpowder, etc., but also useful for "tinder" since the wax/paper combination burns quite easily. Plus, a portion of the shiny tin lid can be cut away and used as a lure for fishing...

[mugwump]

Originally Posted by Detcord

For some, a fresh roll of Copenhagen is considered a mandatory survival item!!!

LOL, a fresh log of tin-top, stateside Cope is gold to some. I'd never heard of the stuff before I started sending off morale packages a coupla years ago. Now I know that logs are "born" on Tuesdays, where to look for "born" dates, and that it's best to vacuum-seal three tins to a bag (don't know why though).

That reminds me, it's Tuesday.

[Gypsy]

Originally Posted by mugwump

, and that it's best to vacuum-seal three tins to a bag (don't know why though).

.

I do the same, or use airtight containers. It helps to retard the aging process.

[Sire24657]

OK,

I have read (and contributed in the past on ) this thread; and I have another question:

If you could pack only 2 books on survival with you in your kit(s), which would they be?

Again, thanks.

Sire

[Razor]

• US Army FM 3-05.70 (formerly FM 21-76), Survival
• The Boy Scout Handbook

[ZoneOne]

I would agree w/ Razor,

But I would change out the Boy Scout book w/ Tom Brown's Field Guide to Wilderness Survival

All three would give you some great ideas to hopefully make living a little bit less stressful.

Also, in regards to traps as mentioned earlier. Does anyone have a favorite trap or one they think works best?

For relative ease, I consider the Figure 4 to be great. If you take your time you can make one with out a knife by just finding the right sticks and making a couple of well placed bends or breaks.
There are many traps out there from relatively simple to highly advanced, such as the Piaute bird trap.

Picture taken from the Tracker Trail.
http://www.trackertrail.com/survival...oKnife7701.jpg

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Originally Posted by ZoneOne

Also, in regards to traps as mentioned earlier. Does anyone have a favorite trap or one they think works best?

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I have used a variety of traps and snares that work well, but I choose those that work best for the animal I am after and have no particular favorite. The key to any of them is just like setting an ambush, you have to understand the target.

[Jaeger1980]

Don't hurt me for digging out this old thread
IMO it's one of the most interesting threads for both, servicemen and civilians.

Originally Posted by The Reaper

You are dropped uninjured into a remote forest environment wearing BDUs and boots. Your pockets are empty and you have no additional gear. You are non-tactical, i.e., no enemy is hunting you. It is in a Temperate climatic area, in the spring. Daytime highs are in the 70s, but at night it drops below 40. There is a natural water source of unknown potability nearby. No known shealter is available. If located, you may be rescued sooner than 60 days, but that may not happen. You are going to remain in the immediate area and not walk out for at least the next two months.

Since this isn't supposed to be a prepared camping trip I'll focus on minimalism.

Originally Posted by The Reaper

What are your essential tasks? What are the priorities?

Tasks

1. Water: Find the nearby water source; cook some water and store it.
2. Staying healthy: See No.1 plus... Collect lots of wood; light a fire; build a shelter; do personal hygiene at least once a day.
3. Food: Build and set up traps; hunt animals; collect edible plants, berries, ...
4. Rescue: Build static signals which can be seen from aircrafts

Originally Posted by The Reaper

What are the Minimum tools and equipment you need to survive for 60 days in this environment?

Needs-related examination

1. Container (aluminium): Is essential.
2. Knife: Is essential, too.
3. Flint: Is essential, too. But it could be found in this environment.
4. Antibiotics: The right antibiotic could become No.1 very fast in case of an infection.

Originally Posted by The Reaper

... and let's see the least extensive list you feel you could survive with.

IMO, when it comes to the crunch it would be possible to survive this scenario without any tools or equipment. But that would be an experience I'm not eager to make.


(Please excuse my bad english grammar.)

[The Reaper]

Herr Jager:

No problem, I started this thread for people to exchange ideas.

I agree, it is possible to survive in this scenario with nothing, IF there is suitable material in the area for making fire and for making cutting tools.

Our forefathers on the frontier in the US would probably set out for a couple of months of hunting or trapping with a rifle and ammo, an axe, a knife, some cordage, a blanket, a tarp, a pot, a canteen, some flour, salt, sugar, coffee, tobacco, and a flint. That doesn't mean it would be that easy for us.

On the other hand, as you correctly note, first, identify your survival needs, then select the minimum number of items to give you the ability to meet those needs (particularly multiple use items), get the knowledge and practice to use them properly, have your mind properly focused, and you should be able to weather the event without anything worse than losing a few pounds.

I would rate the need for antibiotics much lower, though, and would prefer to take an axe or large knife and some type of line or cordage.

Thanks for your input, and stop apologizing for your English, we have native speakers here doing much worse.

TR