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We all know that "KNOWLEDGE" and "THE WILL TO SURVIVE" are the most important aspects of survial along with gear and knowing how to use that gear.
We are also human and the reality is humans can panic when put into an actual life or death/survival situation. The key is to prepare the best you can, but also PRACTICE the skills you learn. The other factor is NO ONE really knows how they will react until the time comes. I have seen first hand how a VERY PREPARED individual can crack under pressure and forget things they have not only learned, but practiced over and over.
So, what is my "MOST VALUABLE" piece of gear? It's a journal! It's cheap, compact and worth it's weight in gold. Keep in mind though...you will only get out of it what you put into it!
My journal is 51/2" wide x 81/2" long x 11/2" thick. What do I keep in it/use it for? Well, here it goes...
*Plant identification with actual photographs.
*Not only as a reference for myself, but also for teaching others.
*Photographs of family...something as simple as this could be used to give you that extra push when you are running out of steam and can be used for identification purposes.
*Locations of interest. For Ex. In the areas I frequent I will make notes of places that I can get cell phone reception.
*First aid
*Land navagation/small back-up compass/grid reader
*Shelter building or pre-existing locations.
*Caches of supply locations.
*Water purification methods.
*I write down all of my GPS waypoints/coordinates in case my GPS fails or is disabled. I can then still find those areas with a grid reader, map and compass.
*Holding small items like grease pencils, pencils, pens etc...
*Small magnifying lens.
*Morse code/signaling methods.
*Radio frequencies.
*Phone numbers.
*Trapping methods.
*Lists of things I want to try and/or need to practice.
*Weather predictors
*Signaling methods
For the wealth of information this contains and how small it is there's no excuse not to have one. It's an excellent tool for young and old alike!
We are also human and the reality is humans can panic when put into an actual life or death/survival situation. The key is to prepare the best you can, but also PRACTICE the skills you learn. The other factor is NO ONE really knows how they will react until the time comes. I have seen first hand how a VERY PREPARED individual can crack under pressure and forget things they have not only learned, but practiced over and over.
So, what is my "MOST VALUABLE" piece of gear? It's a journal! It's cheap, compact and worth it's weight in gold. Keep in mind though...you will only get out of it what you put into it!
My journal is 51/2" wide x 81/2" long x 11/2" thick. What do I keep in it/use it for? Well, here it goes...
*Plant identification with actual photographs.
*Not only as a reference for myself, but also for teaching others.
*Photographs of family...something as simple as this could be used to give you that extra push when you are running out of steam and can be used for identification purposes.
*Locations of interest. For Ex. In the areas I frequent I will make notes of places that I can get cell phone reception.
*First aid
*Land navagation/small back-up compass/grid reader
*Shelter building or pre-existing locations.
*Caches of supply locations.
*Water purification methods.
*I write down all of my GPS waypoints/coordinates in case my GPS fails or is disabled. I can then still find those areas with a grid reader, map and compass.
*Holding small items like grease pencils, pencils, pens etc...
*Small magnifying lens.
*Morse code/signaling methods.
*Radio frequencies.
*Phone numbers.
*Trapping methods.
*Lists of things I want to try and/or need to practice.
*Weather predictors
*Signaling methods
For the wealth of information this contains and how small it is there's no excuse not to have one. It's an excellent tool for young and old alike!
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