“Primitive shelters ain't all they're cracked up to be. If you've studied many "survival tips" websites or quick reference guides, you get the impression that simple debris huts are all you need to stay warm and dry in any conditions. If you've ever slept in one, though... well, that's a different matter.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip - Toggles, Pt. II
“Last week we showed you how to use a wooden toggle as a quick-release system for hanging your tarps... but that's just the tip of the toggle iceberg. Like a shemagh, or a poncho, a wooden toggle is a blank canvas that is only limited by your imagination.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 4/30 - Ranger Bands on Fire
“They won’t catch a spark, but if you have an open flame, they’ll burn easily. Lighting one is like starting a mini tire fire. Even the small ones will burn for 10-15mins in all conditions, including rain and high winds, and they're virtually impossible to put out.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 4/9 - The Possum's Dump Pouch
“But you only have so many pockets, and your pack is usually full of stuff already. So like any good marsupial, you need a pouch. The solution to this is to carry a military mag dump pouch (or a carpenter's nail pouch) with you so you can easily collect resources as you go.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 1/29 - Reflector Wall
“Regardless of what shelter I set up, one of the first things I would do to try and give myself an edge in the battle against freezing to death would be to build a reflector wall.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 1/22 - The Case for Rest
“While getting proper rest may not seem important, consider the consequences if you don’t. One night probably won’t affect you too much. You won’t be at your best, but you’ll be alright. But more than one night in harsh conditions with little or no sleep, and things start to unravel…”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 11/27 - Bushcraft Knife Sharpener
“But the Achilles heel of any knife is this: It gets dull. It doesn’t matter whether the blade you’re carrying is carbon, stainless, laminated, Gerber mystery metal, or a space-age super steel, it’s going to lose its edge eventually if you use it.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 11/20 - Situational Awareness for Tracking
“Of all the casualties of the smartphone age, three of the most important, and the most tragic, losses are awareness, attention, and focus.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 10/30 - Bombproof Tensionless Anchor
“The basic building block of any rope system is an anchor. Without an anchor, there’s nothing to pull tension on, nothing to clip in to, etc. And the tried-and-true single point bombproof tensionless anchor is one of the strongest and simplest around.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 10/23 - The Original Pocket Multi-Tool
“Today we’re going to talk about the granddaddy of all pocket multi-tools, and one that still puts most of today’s offerings to shame. We’re talking, of course, about the legendary P-38 can opener.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 10/16 - Laying a Fire
“If you’ve ever had a fire that started out alright, flamed up, and then quickly died, this may well be one of the reasons why.”
Read more