A Survival Tips and Techniques Blog | UrbanWoodsman.com

Rivers, Lakes, Coast, Mountains, wild life, bird life, fishing, sailing – experience the great outdoors.  All these can be seen and enjoyed from a kayak.  Take along a camera to capture unforgettable moments. 

Kayaking is fun, and it’s exercise too.  Sometimes dangerous, (don’t try whitewater until you have some experience), often exhilarating and there is always something to strive for.  The Eskimo roll for instance, is how you right yourself when you find yourself upside down in the water while still in your kayak.

The origin of kayaks is with the Eskimos.  They used them for hunting walrus and seals in the coastal waters of the Arctic. You can imagine how very cold that was.  Their kayaks were made of sea lion or seal hide sewn over a frame of wood.  A hunter sat facing forward on the floor of the kayak, and a watertight ‘skirt’ was constructed around the body which sealed him in (is that where our word ‘seal’ came from?).  This was very necessary as he had to be able to get back to shore.  You don’t survive easily when you’re stranded in Arctic waters. 

“Can anyone paddle a kayak?” you ask.  Anyone can start to paddle a kayak.  Take it slow.  Start on still water on inland lakes.  Wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device – like a life jacket), and get one your size.  Take along a cell phone and a compass.  Oh, and insect repellent!

“Where do I start?” you ask.

Actually, two places.  The first is to decide where you want to go.  Phone up your local authority and find out where the nearest popular place for still water is.  Ask what rules and regulations apply to kayaking there. (Usually you do not need a licence or certificate.)  Check where you can launch your kayak from – there should be some spots where it’s possible to go down to the waters edge and launch, without joining a club.

The second step is to decide what type of kayak to buy.  There is such a wide choice today.  Perhaps, as it’s a first, start at the inflatable kayak level. Inflatables weigh very little, so they are easy to transport.  If you are conscious of being environmentally friendly – deflated – they may be transported by bicycle.  They also very easily fit into a car boot or a roof-pod, widening your choice of destinations, since you will be able to go places which might be difficult if your car was pulling a trailer.  And, if you really don’t want to splurge a lot of money on a sport you’re only just trying out, then here are two suggestions.

For under $100, the solo K1 Challenger by Intex, weighs in at 27 ¾ lbs.

For 2 people, at under $120, there is the Challenger K2, 40lbs, by Intex or the Sevylor Tahiti Classic, 25lbs.

Some points to note:

1.  The oars don’t necessarily come with the kayak.  They usuall need to be bought separately.

2.  If you’re going into out-of-the-usual places, pack a picnic and check the weather report.

3.  Check out the pump which comes with inflatables.  Some of them are said to take a while to do their work.  Customer comments give a good idea of the pros and cons of some deals.

If you spend a lot of time outside especially in the wilderness, learning outdoor first aid is a real benefit. People who enjoy outdoor sports are usually very fit and active. But there are a lot of things that can go wrong in all seasons. No matter what you are doing, there is always the risk of injury or other problems to happen. And what makes this especially problematic is that most people are a few miles in from safety which means that a rescue could take a while.

That is why it is very important for people who spend a lot of time outdoors to take an outdoor first aid class. While it is good to also take a regular first aid certification course, outdoor first aid often has its own special unique challenges and needs. Often people in outdoor settings find that they need to improvise and make things such as splints for broken bones and treat conditions such as frostbite and hypothermia. Outdoor first aid classes would focuses on ailments and situations that are unique to the outdoors.

To find places that give outdoor first aid training classes it is a good idea to check with your local sporting goods stores or local mountain club. For example, the Appalachian Mountain Club offers outdoor first aid courses. But larger outfitters such as R.E.I may also offer training courses. Check to see how often the classes are offered and what you need to do to prepare for the workshop.

There are so many situations where first aid is necessary that it is a good idea to learn the skills. You truly never know when you will need them. A beautiful day could rapidly turn into one that is filled with disaster. Rain could come in unexpectedly. The threat of lightening strikes or cold winds and whiteout conditions is also a possibility. Of course, if people stay smart and make good decisions that eliminates a lot of problems. But when you are in the wilderness you need to be open to the possibility that anything can happen no matter how smart you are. Knowing outdoor first aid can really help you out because sometimes that will mean the difference between survival and perishing in the woods.

Humans spend a lot of time indoors. We are the only mammals that eat, sleep and live indoors. We spend all day working inside skyscrapers, factories, malls and office buildings. We go to school indoors, entertain indoors and worship indoors. So when it’s time to play, take it outside!

Outdoor living is essential for your body, mind and soul. There is no shortage of outdoor activities, all year long, so everyone can get out for some fun and fresh air. It’s all about what you like to do, and how you like to get your fun on.

Sports
Try to imagine any sport that cannot be played outdoors. Football, soccer, swimming and baseball come to mind. Even racquet sports, basketball and volleyball are more fun outdoors where facilities permit. Fresh air and sunshine make the game more enjoyable and provide a natural energy boost that you need to play harder and better.

Kick Back
You don’t necessarily have to get physical to enjoy the great outdoors. Take a walk for a double-hit of exercise and beautiful scenery. Jump on a bike, grab a skateboard or strap on a pair of roller blades and cruise the outdoors at your own pace. When you really need to relax, hang a hammock in a shady nook and let the summer breezes rock you to sleep.

Get Wet
Indoor pools can’t hold a candle to taking a dip in a cool river, lake or stream. Swimming is synonymous with outdoor living in summertime. Swimming exercise virtually every muscle in your body, keeps you cool and gives you time to clear your head of all those indoor troubles. Try boating as a fun way to bond with your kids. Whether you paddle a canoe across a silent lake, or water ski behind a speedboat, outdoor living doesn’t get much more fun.

Everybody Out
Get the entire family involved in outdoor living. Experiencing and appreciating the beauty of nature is something that all of you can–and should–do on a regular basis. Take a walk after dinner, enjoy a family bike ride on Saturday morning, hike through the woods or call a neighbourhood touch football game for some impromptu fun. Our society, and our children in particular, lead sedentary lives that are choking us of fresh air. Get everybody out to add some exercise and activity to your regular routine.

Rainy Days
When it rains on your parade, soak it up and have some fun! When a warm summer rain starts to fall, pull on your duck boots, and splash in the biggest puddle you can find. Outdoor living reminds you how it feels to be free and just have fun. Those more reserved can idle on the front porch to breathe in the aroma of the rain on earth, and if you’re really lucky, can watch a spectacular summer storm roll in.

Humans are not conditioned to survive solely indoors. Like all creatures, we need fresh air and sunshine to thrive. Outdoor living is essential for a clear head, healthy body and happy heart. As always, mother knows best; so take her advice and go play outside!

One of the biggest problems for cyclists is when they break down and the situation seems a bit hopeless. If you’ve got a phone handy, maybe catch a ride with a car going in your direction, or use your wits and be prepared for such an occasion. This way you have the opportunity to make a quick fix that will at least get you and your bike safely home. 

Basically, knowing what to do and how to do it is important. Also, that you carry a small survival kit that will include things needed to possibly fix the mountain bike. With this idea in mind, then you have the overall ability to “quick fix” it. Surprisingly there are some cyclists that are quite literally prepared for any eventuality. They use specialist containers for different items that can also prove useful. For example, thin copper wire, tyre patches, and even unexpected items like zip ties as well.  

No individual has to get hysterical and panic if when cycling something happens to it. Well, that is if he or she is ready. There are lots of stuff an individual can actually do in order to be better prepared even before a bike actually strands you. Purchase a few spokes of the right size – the kind with nipples – and tie them under the chain stay. This also keeps them out of sight. Therefore the spokes act as a reserve. Just in case you break a spoke. Another thing bikers do is fill his or her tire with some type of sealant. This can work superbly, and in many events as it is also takes a lot more to puncture a wheel that has sealant of some kind.  

Obviously, there are those pesky common hiccups that are going to attempt to mess up the mountain biking enjoyment. In the case of having loose jockey wheels, these come loose usually because they weren’t tightened enough in the first place. Either way, have no fear. Get a piece of your copper wire and a bolt and you can fix it on the spot. All by looping it so that the jockey wheel stays in place until you are able to get some place where you can fix it correctly. 

A tire with a bad cut in it isn’t going to hold any air, and you are faced of course with a flat tire. Just by using duct tape – that you should have in your little survival kit – should do the trick. However, you should use another layer of tape for added security. A piece of cloth can even work at times if the cut isn’t massive and the tire hasn’t run flat.   

Nothing hurts more than when biking and the seat falls off. Astoundingly, the seat can be reattached with zip ties or a bit of wire. Remember when sitting back on the seat once again it is a pretty good idea to sit down carefully – unless you want a sore bottom! 

In addition, if you have no spare at hand and the tube on your cycle gets punctured, there is another way of repairing it temporarily. Gently pull the tube apart where it is cut or punctured, and knot it at both ends very tightly. This way the tube will expand. Yet you should take care over inflate too much or use a lot of pressure either.

Not all bikes are the same but many of them can be fixed temporarily in the similar. Some of course are different: a road bike will be different to a high-end MTB. Ten speeds have gears and cogs when repaired aren’t going to be as easy to have as a temporary fix. However, it is normally possible to get some of the lower gears on a ten speed to work and at least get you somewhere to repair the bike properly. 

There is a trick to taking a tire off should it need to be fixed. Be sure that when repairing tires without any tire levers that all of the air is out of the tire. Then, you can hold the tire upright against the floor. Use both your hands around the top and pinch. The tire beads at the center of your rim channel, so work downwards with your hands. When your hands actually meet at the bottom you will see for yourself that you have just enough space to pull the bead over the rim. Believe it or not, the theory works. 

Mountain Bike repairs carried out on the fly aren’t typicallyany good as a permanent repair and can only last for a short while. That’s why it’s crucial to get somewhere or to a point that it can be fixed properly. The main thing is by having a little knowledge and know-how, you won’t be stranded or finding another means of transportation

To be a successful rock climber, it is necessary to develop certain skills that will be used for climbing and surviving in an outdoor environment that is very rugged. Before a person even considers learning how to climb rocks in a mountain terrain or the desert, the person must possess a passion for being outdoors and a full understanding of all their abilities.

This passion for climbing rocks can begin quite innocently if the person is part of a family that likes to go camping. If the person finds the idea of exploring nature and living in the wild to be a very appealing option, then outdoor rock climbing will naturally fit into their current lifestyle. Most people that take up rock climbing outdoors also enjoy taking long walks along wooded paths and enjoying hearing the sounds of animals in the night.

If the person has no problem with exploring rugged terrain at night, then they probably possess all the qualities they need to enjoy a successful hobby of outdoor rock climbing. This person would also be the type that could climb tall mountains with the right equipment and enjoy looking at the scenery and landscapes for hours after they have finally reached the top.

Outdoor rock climbing is not suitable for anyone who has a fear of heights unless they can overcome the fear with proper training. Some people get involved in rock climbing based on advice they received from a psychologist or other analyst in an effort to bring the individual out of a shell that they have built around themselves over time. Some people find many therapeutic remedies available to them just by being surrounded by nature.

If hanging from a cliff by a rope is unappealing or unacceptable, then that person should not consider any type of rock climbing outdoors but consider climbing in a controlled environment such as a gymnasium. Some people are willing to attempt rock climbing but realize too late that they can not tolerate rugged terrains that leave them hot and sweaty.

A successful rock climber will have a learned respect for all living things and know how to survive in the wild, even if it means eating wild game. A person that climbs indoor walls for recreation might not understand the skill and commitment that is necessary to be an outdoor rock climber. An indoor rock climber could find himself or herself in a lot of trouble if they ventured out into the great outdoors for just a day in an area that they did not fully understand.

Some indoor rock climbers might not return safely from a solo trip they innocently planned to climb rocks in a canyon. They will quickly learn that no climber should participate in any outdoor climbing trips alone. With proper training for outdoor rock climbing, they will learn all about how to keep people appraised of their plans on where they will be climbing and when the can be expected to return. Many lives have been saved because climbers knew to share this information with someone.

Outdoors Publisher Reports on Survival Trends

William C. Holm, BH Publishing Owner, and Editor of Your World Outdoors.Com, and Your World Outdoors. Us issued a report today entitled â??Recent Survival Trends,â? which highlights some of the major changes in product development, buyerâ??s preferences for camping and survival gear products, and other survival trends.

In issuing this report, Mr. Holm noted that several trends had converged during the past year, namely price-comparison shopping and more unisex product design.

Some of the other trends noted were:

1) While there had been a slight increase last year in camping (5.34%) and hiking (8.5%), the number of people actively hunting had decreased by 1.1 %.

2) Trail running, backpacking, and wildlife viewing increased by 15.2%, 18.5%, and 5.0% respectively.

3) While there had been an upswing in outdoor camping, particularly RV camping, most campers prefer to camp relatively close to home.

4) The Pacific Northwest (18.9%) and the Upper Midwest (16.9%) have the most campers when compared to the rest of the United States.

Hunting & Bow-Hunting Trends-

Keeping in mind that there has been a decrease in the numbers of hunters and a reported increase the numbers of firearms purchased this year, particularly handguns, it is speculated that most of the handguns purchased are for self-defense. When considered in conjunction with reports that ammunition manufacturers are working around the clock to keep up with sales orders, we have concluded that people are stockpiling these goods for a future use. â??This has caused some concern among outdoor groups and hunting organizations,â? the publisher remarked.

According to the NSGA, hunting and firearms showed the greatest percentage increase among equipment purchases in 2007. Sales of hunting & firearms equipment rose 16% to $4.6 billion from $3.9 billion in 2007.

Bowhunting and the purchase of cross bows have seen a dramatic rise in the past three years. One of the reasons for this has been the National Archery in the Schools Program. Young and old alike seem drawn to this sport primarily due to the unique skills involved, advances in bow design technology, the relative ease of getting a bowhunting license, and the particular camaraderie of hunting game in the forest.

Demographics-

The NSGA also found that women make up 12% of all bowhunters in the United States. Nearly 786,000 females went bowhunting more than once in the past year. The average age of female bowhunters is 37.9. Indeed, current data seems to indicate that women are quickly joining with men in core survival activities namely backpacking, camping, hunting, and wilderness trekking. More and more women are buying survival gear products as they â??take to the woodsâ? in large numbers. The growth of the B.O.W. (Becoming An Outdoors Woman) program throughout the United States may be one of the factors contributing to the increase in the number of outdoors women.

The average age for a female hunter was 30.4 years and the average age for a male hunter was 45.7 years of age. However, young people (ages 6-17 years) for the most part, continue to show a decreased appetite for outdoor activities such as camping, backpacking, and hiking.

Recent Sales Trends-

(Retailers Cut Prices)

In view of the recession, shoppers have become bargain shoppers. This means that instead of buying a premium brand name backpack, sleeping bag, or tent, outdoor enthusiasts are going to the Big Box Stores retail outlet or website to purchase their gear. The average price for a backpack is $30.00, a sleeping bag is $39.00, and a 3- person tent on average is purchased for about $101.00. Further, the big name retailers can out-advertise, stock larger quantities, display more products, and keep good customer relations due to their highly developed business processes. A report from Internet Retailerâ indicated that the more sophisticated websites, with fast order processing and page load times garnered more sales than slower and less sophisticated websites. Hence, Walmart, Amazon, Sears, Target, and Kmart outperform the smaller specialty sites when it comes to camping product sales.

Even the niche sites are cutting prices on survival gear items in the face of frugal shoppers.

For example, Sierra Trading Post has cut the prices on some of its products by 50%, Cabelas has cut prices on some items by 20% to 70%, Eastern Mountain Sports from 20-40%, and Mountain Gear has cut from 20-70%, Altrec by 15%, and Gander Mountain offers 40 % off on some items. It should be noted that Gander Mountain is promoting over 3,000 firearms for sale on its website.

(Eco-Friendly Products Increase)

Another trend noted in the report is that camping and survival good manufacturers have started making environmental friendly products by using recycled material or â??greenâ? material such as vegan or organic resources such as bamboo. The North Faceâ, Timberland Bootsâ, Patagoniaâ, Merrellâ, Burtonâ, Keenâ, and Mountain Hardwearâ are some of the leaders in eco-friendly camping products.

Primaloft® ECO, an earth-friendly mix of recycled and virgin insulation for coats and sleeping bags are relatively new innovations in â??greenâ? products. A new Eco-Friendly DRYRIDEâ Recycled Polyester Fabrication, and Eco-Friendly Waterproof/Breathable Lamination with DWR Coatingä, are several new inventions included into Burton Coats and jackets. These eco-friendly products can be purchased at Altrec.Com, Cabelas.Com, Eastern Mountain Sports.Com, Mountain Gear.Com, and Moosejaw.Com.

The Full Report-

The full report contains a discussion of Home-Made & Do-It Survival Gear, Home-Made Survival Kits, Recent Innovations in Survival Gear, Summary & Conclusions, and a list of references. Copies of the full report can be obtained by contacting the publisher.

C&S Outdoors Basic Outdoor Survival trailer gives a detailed look at our newest Outdoor Survival Video. www.CNSOutdoors.com

Camping & Wilderness Survival: The Ultimate Outdoors Book