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CODY LUNDIN: outdoor survival,  primitive living skills, and urban preparedness courses

CODY LUNDIN: outdoor survival,  primitive living skills, and urban preparedness courses

95 Back in MOTHER NO. 71, wilderness survival expert Tom Brown 7r. (known worldwide as The Tracker) showed us how to construct the leaf hut-an expedient and reliable short-term survival shelter. In this article, the ninth installment of The Tracker's ongoing wilderness survival series, Tom discusses the basics of building two different long-term survival shelters. With many hunting seasons opening in the coming months, a lot of individuals—some of whom have had very little wilderness experience—will be taking to the woods. Of course, if luck is with you, you'll never need to erect and occupy either of the two long-term survival shelters I'm going to talk about in the following paragraphs. Neither of these advanced shelters requires any construction tools other than those you can fashion yourself, and no materials other than those provided by nature. To construct a thatched hut, locate several long, stout saplings that can be placed upright in a typical tipi shape.

71 When you're out collecting firewood, foraging for wild edibles, or plowing your fields, you can never be sure that you won't suddenly be faced with a situation in which your survival will depend upon your ability to make a shelter, find food and water, and build a fire. In fact, even if you're 'safely" ensconced in the security of a cabin, a farmhouse, or a city apartment, any number of natural or manmade disasters can force you to keep yourself alive by using only what is available in nature. However, any person who knows how to provide his or her necessities, without having to depend on manufactured commodities, can endure even if a calamity severs all ties with the rest of society. And wilderness living abilities are particularly important assets for the alternative lifestylist, camper, sportsperson, or other nature enthusiast who enjoys spending time away from the trappings of civilization. I believe—and teach—just the opposite. [4] A shelter should give a sense of security.

72 Many early native American people believed that water was the Earth Mother's blood. And the purpose of the sacred substance -- in the minds of such individuals -- was to give life to all the world's beings .. therefore, men and women were expected to be careful to avoid dirtying it in any way. Unfortunately, in these "modern" times, our feet have become far removed from the earth, and much of humankind has lost its respect for water. Hence, more and more pollutants are being dumped into our aquatic reserves ... and it's hard nowadays to find a stream, lake, or river -- anywhere in this country -- that hasn't been contaminated. In today's world, then, a survivalist who needs water faces a twofold task: finding the liquid and rendering it potable. Always remember, however, not to take chances on questionable drinking sources. In this article I'll cover four techniques for obtaining water in the wild ... ranging from the one I recommend least heartily to my favorite method.

73 In the first two articles in this series (see MOTHER NOS. 71 and 72), I dealt with ways to secure shelter and water . . . the two most important requirements for anyone facing a survival situation. On the other hand, one seldom needs a fire in order to stay alive. But because a good blaze can be used to cook food, sterilize water, create tools, and—of course—keep a survivalist warm and comfortable, I've placed firemaking third on my list of valuable wilderness skills. It's important to know how to ignite a fire without the aid of a cigarette lighter—which is simply a modern form of the old flint-and-steel system—or matches. In my school I teach 17 ways of building fires. Before I go into the details of making a fire, though, let me emphasize that whenever you practice this—or any other—outdoor skill, it's important to do the best job on the task that you can possibly do. Of course, before you can make a fire, you have to choose a spot for it. You'll need four types, or grades, of fuel.

74 Now in most parts of North America, the most easily collected survival foods are wild plants. However, since many native vegetables aren't available in the winter months (and because most regular MOTHER-readers already have a pretty fair grounding in edible plant indentification), I've decided to discuss methods of gathering animal foods here. And the techniques that I'll focus on are hunting (with a simple throwing stick) and trapping. Naturally, when eating is a matter of life or death (as it could be if you were stranded for an extended period of time), an individual can't allow his or her dietary preferences to get in the way. You should know, then, that virtually all mammals are edible (in fact, when skinned and cleaned, very few animals can't be safely used as food). It's important, however, to avoid eating any creatures that show signs of sickness . . . and, if possible, to cook all meat (usually either on a spit or in a crude stew) until it's well done.

75 Tom Brown, Jr.It's very difficult to write a survival article on wild foods that will be relevant to readers in a broad range of areas and terrains. Therefore, I've tried to include a variety of widely distributed plants that can be easily identified and are—for the most part—to be found throughout the year. Remember, though, that when a person sets out to gather wild edibles, he or she must do so with a great deal of caution. Some people, for example, might have allergic reactions to otherwise "safe" plants, and a number of factors—including the time of collection and method of preparation—can make a big difference in both the safety and the palatability of many free foods. You should never, of course, pick plants close to roadways, polluted waterways, croplands, or any other place where chemical sprays or fumes could have contaminated them.Furthermore, the forager should never eat a plant that looks unhealthy, or one that he or she can't identify beyond the shadow of a doubt. Oaks.

76 After supplying him- or herself with shelter, water, and warmth, the survivalist must give attention to the search for nourishment. However, even after locating food, folks who find themselves unexpectedly stranded in the wilderness aren't likely to have much in the way of supplies or cooking equipment. For that reason, I'm going to devote this article to describing survival cooking techniques that require no ready-made tools or other manufactured gear. The only implements mentioned in this piece will be those you can easily make yourself, and the rudimentary skills used to fashion them should be within the capabilities of almost anyone. Naturally, the first thing to consider when survival cooking becomes necessary is how best to prepare the meal with the materials at hand. Fire is one of humankind's most important tools, and its value is magnified in a survival situation (see MOTHER NO. 73, page 78, for tips on starting a fire without matches). Bones can also become good tools.

77 Tom Brown, Jr. with Brandt Morgan Tracking is an age-old art . . . and one that's been pretty much forgotten in modern times. The finely honed skills that native Americans once used to sustain and protect themselves have been — in the eyes of many people — rendered unnecessary by supermarkets and government-provided security. However, the ground still has a wealth of stories to tell those who'll take the time to learn to read it. Of course, as is the case with almost any avocation, it takes years of dedication and practice to become an expert tracker . . . but anyone can become more sensitive to the flow of animal life by simply learning to recognize the basic signs of its passage. Learning to track is like learning to read: Before you can begin making out meaningful words, sentences, and paragraphs, you have to know the alphabet. The felines include the house cat, bobcat, lynx, and cougar. The canines include dogs, foxes, coyotes, and wolves.

79 When you're caught in a bind -- or at the end of your rope -- this skill could come in handy. MAKING NATURAL CORDAGE Tom Brown Jr. and Brandt Morgan Tom Brown, Jr. -- whose "At Home in the Wilderness" articles ran in MOTHER NOS. 71-77 -- isn't a stranger to most of our readers. And although, Tom concluded his series two issues back, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to add to that body of woodlore by running this article … which should be as valuable to folks involved in the various forms of string art as it certainly will be to those concerned with learning the skills necessary to get along in the wilds. Cordage -- that is, thread, string, or rope – is all but indispensable in a survival situation. Just about any strong, flexibie fiber can be used to produce good cordage. The dried inner skin of the stalks of fibrous plants will also serve your purpose, as will fibrous leaves and even dried grasses (again, see the accompanying list).

93 Many of you will recall our popular seven-part series on basic survival skills, "At Home in the Wilderness," which appeared in MOTHER NOS. 71 through 77. We're pleased to announce that its creator, outdoor expert Tom Brown Jr. (author of The Tracker, The Search, and Tom Brown's Guide to Wilderness Survival, and director of one of the country's largest tracking and wilderness survival schools), has agreed to resume the series for MOTHER's readers. In the issues to come, Tom will strive to provide us all with a deeper, more intimate understanding of nature and the art of survival. Survival training involves far more than just learning the skills necessary to endure hardship. Sadly, the conveniences our civilization has devised have separated most of us from nature. This is not only regrettable, but also dangerous. Granted, you may never be faced with a life-or-death situation. Keep a cool head. Finding Water: Usually, water is easy to locate in the wild. Awareness is the key.

OWLink Media History and Founders of Wilderness Awareness School | Jon Young | Ingwe Wilderness Awareness School’s approach to nature education draws upon the vast experiences of naturalists and indigenous peoples from around the world. Jon Young officially founded the school in 1983, and “re-founded” it upon meeting Ingwe in 1984. They are considered our co-founders. Our Complete History For a more complete story of Wilderness Awareness School’s evolution, please see our booklet, Songline. Our Original Founders Jon Young Inspired by his childhood mentoring with tracker and author Tom Brown, Jr., Jon has pioneered blending Native mentoring techniques from around the world with the tools of modern field ecology. Jon Young currently lives in California and teaches a variety of programs in California and around the U.S. and Europe. Ingwe Born M. In 1984, Ingwe joined Jon and Wilderness Awareness School to share the lessons of his Akamba people of holding and seeking positive Visions for the children of the future. Significant Contributors Jake & Judy Swamp Gilbert Walking Bull

First Aid Kit From MeritBadgeDotOrg First Aid Kit resources include the printable Personal First Aid Kitas well as First Aid Skills instruction showing how to use each item. Boy Scout Personal First Aid Kit From the Boy Scout Handbook p. 289 "Carrying a few first aid items on hikes and campouts will allow you to treat scratches, blisters, and other minor injuries, and to provide initial care for more serious emergencies. Everything will fit in a self-sealing plastic bag. References Webelos First Aid Kit From the Webelos Scout Handbook pp. 388-9 First Aid Kits Every home and car should have a first aid kit. For a first aid kit in a car, also include a small flashlight and spare batteries, hand cleaner in packets, a white handkerchief (to attach to the car so you can attract attention if the car is disabled), a blanket, and a large red and white sign that can be placed in the front or rear window that reads "Send Help!" Guide to Safe Scouting First Aid Kit From the: Guide to Safe Scouting ___ Bar of soap

Documents - ScoutDocs What is Scouting? What is Scouting? — Scouting is fun with a purpose, directed towards helping boys and girls become happy, healthy, useful citizens Fundamental Principles — The basic ideas underlying the Scout Movement Scouting Glossary — Common words and phases used in Scouting in Canada Kennabi Paddling Song — The Anthem of the Lilly-dippers The Hunt for Captain Rasputin’s Treasure — A treasure hunt program for Scouts Issues in Canadian Scouting Professionalized Scouting? Ceremonies Flag Break and Flag Lowering — A ceremony to start and end the day Scout Investiture Ceremony — Making a meaningful start to Scouting Wolf Cub Jungle Opening and Closing Ceremony — Bring the jungle to your pack Scoutmaster Investiture Ceremony — Recognizing a new Scouter at the front of the horseshoe Stories What’s Really Making You Feel Bad? Spirituality Tips for running Scouts’ Owns — Six keys to more effective spiritual programs What is a Scouts' Own? Being Prepared For Scouters For Venturers and Rovers

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