Kroniks Survival Guide

Discussion in 'Survival and Sustainability' started by kronikcope, Jul 26, 2011.

  1. kronikcope

    kronikcope Active Member

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    This thread is going to serve one purpose - to potentially save the life of the reader in a emergency or disaster situation. I welcome any and all contributions to this thread, as some of you out there may have more knowledge in particular areas of survival than myself, especially in different parts of the country or world.

    Topics I would like to discuss in this thread include wild edibles, emergency shelters, trap making including bare bones hunting and fishing techniques, tracking, emergency first aid, fire making, water purification, navigation, signaling, natural medicine, knot tying, home disaster readiness, etc. I'll do my best to educate the reader on these topics, in the slim chance that one of you is put into situation where these topics may become useful.

    First, I'll go over some wild edibles commonly found in the United States. Feel free to contribute.

    Dandelions
    We've all seen them, but did you know they make a great wild edible? The young leaves may be eaten raw and taste quite good. Older leaves take on a bitter taste (though can still be eaten raw). I prefer to boil them, changing the water once to remove the bitterness. The roots are also edible, and best when boiled, or even roasted then ground down to make a tea/coffee. The juice and leaves of the Dandelion are rich in vitamins and minerals.


    [​IMG]
     
  2. kronikcope

    kronikcope Active Member

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    Chicory
    Chicory is common is grassy areas. It grows up to 4 feet tall with light purple-blue flowers. Prepare them the same as you would the Dandelion.

    [​IMG]


    Plantain (Bucks Horn, Rat Tail, Ribwort, English)

    There are several types of plantain, so this is kind of a broad overview. They are extremely common in many areas of the US. When looking for these, note that many types prefer fairly dry ground. The leaves may be eaten raw, or boiled to remove a slight bitter taste. Rats tail Plantain carries wound care properties, and their juice may be used to treat wounds, and its said a concoction of the entire plant may be used for chest complains (chest cold/infection)

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  3. kronikcope

    kronikcope Active Member

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    Cats tail/Reedmace

    Grows 4-14 ft tall with long narrow leaves. Its easily identified by the dark brown sausage shaped flower head. You'll find this plant in freshwater, usually near the banks of ponds and lakes, all over the US. The rootstock and stem are edible raw, or if found later in the season when the get tougher, boiled. Cook the leaves just like spinach, and the shoots like asparagus. The pollen of the "sausage" can be mixed with water to form a dough, and then baked at the end of a stick to actually form an edible "bread", so to speak. The tip of the "sausage" can be lit by a flame which will smoulder, in which you can carry a spark over large distances. This plant, my friends, is often a life saver in a survival situation.
     
  4. kronikcope

    kronikcope Active Member

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    Cats tail/Reedmace

    Grows 4-14 ft tall with long narrow leaves. Its easily identified by the dark brown sausage shaped flower head. You'll find this plant in freshwater, usually near the banks of ponds and lakes, all over the US. The rootstock and stem are edible raw, or if found later in the season when the get tougher, boiled. Cook the leaves just like spinach, and the shoots like asparagus. The pollen of the "sausage" can be mixed with water to form a dough, and then baked at the end of a stick to actually form an edible "bread", so to speak. The tip of the "sausage" can be lit by a flame which will smoulder, in which you can carry a spark over large distances. This plant, my friends, is often a life saver in a survival situation.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. kronikcope

    kronikcope Active Member

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    Red Spruce and Black Spruce

    The young shoots of these spruce trees can be eaten raw or if preferred, cooked. The needles can be boiled to create a tea. Peel off the outer layers of bark to get to the inner areas of bark, which is edible and best when boiled.

    [​IMG]

    Dryads Saddle Mushroom

    A mushroom that often grows on elms, sycamore and beech trees. It can be eaten raw, but best cooked down with hot water. This species of mushroom is easily identified by its smell, because it smells almost identical to watermelon rind. I should note, when harvesting mushrooms make sure you know what type of mushroom you're eating, otherwise you could end up dead.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Herkdriver

    Herkdriver New Member

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    In 1988 I took SV-80-A, SERE training....as required for all aircrews in the USAF
    The course is a finely-tuned, 19-day lesson designed to hone the critical skills necessary to survive when lost behind enemy lines or, worst case scenario...captured.

    Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape....
    of course the RT part of the course is classifed... resistance training.

    About as close as I got to what the combat and spec ops folks go through
    in their training

    Culminated in a pretty intense portion running around the forests of Washington evading capture and trying to survive.
     
  7. kronikcope

    kronikcope Active Member

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    Any and all knowledge is welcome here Herk, and military folk tend to have more knowledge in survival situations than most. Pick a topic you're comfortable with a run with it, as any little tid-bit of information can be useful. I might post a few videos of myself going over some of the techniques I plan to go over, as actually seeing some of the things done first hand usually helps people like myself understand a better concept better than words, such as knot tying, traps, fire starting, etc.
     
  8. Herkdriver

    Herkdriver New Member

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    I'd advise any outdoorsman/outdoorswoman to learn about different water procurement and purification techniques.

    Aside from shelter from the elements, lack of potable water and subsequent
    dehydration will kill a person quicker than anything else.

    Any kit should include water purification tablets.
     
  9. kronikcope

    kronikcope Active Member

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    Agreed. Getting sick from parasites, bacteria, etc. can be a deal breaker.

    In the case of a person being without purification tablets, there's several things one can do.

    -Straining it through a shirt, washcloth, headband, etc.
    -Make sure you boil your water! This will kill many of the nasty little (*)(*)(*)(*)s in the water.
    -Filters! There are hundereds of ways to create these. From sand to charcoal, small pebbles, types of stone, moss etc. Bottles, cans, or any sort of container can be made into a filter. I'll go over some filter methods in a post soon.
     
  10. Up On the Governor

    Up On the Governor Well-Known Member

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  11. kronikcope

    kronikcope Active Member

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    While that show puts in slight bits of realistic survival information, for the most part its nonsense based for the purposes of entertainment. Unrealistic nonsense show after show.

    Did I also mention you're a total (*)(*)(*)(*)(*) probably PMSing all over the place? I kid, I kid. One up to you. :twisted:

    Drinking your own urine though unfiltered is more than likely a bad idea.
     
  12. old timer

    old timer New Member Past Donor

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    Being an old backwoods missouri boy, one thing that we learnt at an early age was if you got lost in the woods and got hungry, the safest thing you could do would be to watch what the animals ate. If they ate it so could you. mostly for things like berries mushrooms and roots.
     
  13. Really People?

    Really People? New Member

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    Many new things have I learned today...
     
  14. kronikcope

    kronikcope Active Member

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    I'll post a more extensive list of edibles when I get home. Pictures always help in identification and I don't know how to link pictures using my phone.
     
  15. Ctrl

    Ctrl Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Maybe a list of NEVER (*)(*)(*)(*)ING EAT THESE might be useful too...

    On the subject of urine, or salt water...

    4 sticks
    String/vines
    Piece of plastic... tarp... nylon fabric... whatever
    Small rock
    Small block of wood, rock... non melty thing with flatish surfaces on two sides.
    Pot/skillet of some kind
    Small container of some kind

    Build small fire. Place sticks around fire in a square. Place wood block in center of pot/skillet. Put liquid in skillet. Place plastic over sticks, and tie off to create a hood over the skillet. Place small rock in center of plastic. Place container on wood block under rock. As the liquid evaporates, condenses and collects it will drain back into the container, free of saline etc.

    There are ways to make solar stills in the earth as well... but I have never done them, and this is much faster... but less efficient. Really better off using this method for salt water.
     
  16. Really People?

    Really People? New Member

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    What!?

    I'm trying this this weekend!!!
     
  17. Ctrl

    Ctrl Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    This is how they say to do the solar still... but you need clear plastic.
    [​IMG]

    If you have some tubing... this is another way than I described.
    [​IMG]

    Mine is somewhere between the two.
     
  18. kronikcope

    kronikcope Active Member

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    Excellent post Ctrl, and solar stills have saved many lives over the years. Since is was brought up, I'll post the plans for a bare minimum solar still this afternoon (hole in the ground technique), as well as the vegitation solar still which just requires some form of plastic.
     
  19. Ctrl

    Ctrl Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Piute deadfall.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]



    Can be made with two sticks in a pinch. Great if you are injured and can't actively hunt. Can set them up all over.

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Really People?

    Really People? New Member

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    You watch boxing, I know, so I'm sure you've seen Marco Antonio Barrera's antics...

    :puke:

    (*)(*)(*)(*) grossed me out when they showed him do it on 24/7...
     
  21. Herkdriver

    Herkdriver New Member

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    On a sidenote: for the rest of us, just basic outdoor survival skills is good to know...but for the more serious minded.
    I've compiled a list for recommended reading. Granted a lot of the books I've chosen relate more to military survival
    wherein avoiding capture by the bad guys... and surviving capture...are the topics. .

    The list is preparatory material for those taking the Air Force SERE Course; don't know it's specific applicability to Kronik's thread..but here you go.



    Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia by Robert Parish: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Plants-Southern-Interior-British-Columbia/dp/1551050579/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1311780270&sr=8-2"]Amazon.com: Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia (9781551050577): Robert Parish, Ray Coupe, Dennis Lloyd: Books[/ame]


    Outdoor Survival Skills by Larry Olsen: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Survival-Skills-Larry-Olsen/dp/1556523238/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311780328&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Outdoor Survival Skills (9781556523236): Larry Dean Olsen, Robert Redford: Books[/ame]


    Alive by Piers Paul Read [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Alive-Piers-Paul-Read/dp/0060778660/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311780361&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Alive (9780060778668): Piers Paul Read: Books[/ame]


    Survive Safely Anywhere, The SAS Survival Guide: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Survive-Safely-Anywhere-Survival-Guide/dp/B002JBIZB4/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311780388&sr=1-5"]Amazon.com: Survive Safely Anywhere, The SAS Survival Guide: John Wiseman: Books[/ame]


    Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Transportation-Hardcover-American-Orthopaedic/dp/0763778494/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311780461&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, Tenth Edition (Hardcover Edition) (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Orange Book Series) (9780763778491): American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS): Books[/ame]


    Medicine for Mountaineering and other Wilderness Activities by James Wilkerson: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Medicine-Mountaineering-Other-Wilderness-Activitites/dp/1594850763/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311780511&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Medicine for Mountaineering: And Other Wilderness Activitites (9781594850769): James A. Wilkerson: Books[/ame]


    Bravo Two Zero: The Harrowing True Story of a Special Forces Patrol Behind the Lines in Iraq by Andy McNab: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Bravo-Two-Zero-Harrowing-Special/dp/0440218802/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311780538&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Bravo Two Zero: The Harrowing True Story of a Special Forces Patrol Behind the Lines in Iraq (9780440218807): Andy McNab: Books[/ame]


    One That Got Away, My SAS Mission Behind Iraqi Lines (Memories of War) by Chris Ryan: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/ONE-THAT-GOT-AWAY-Memories/dp/1597970085/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311780565&sr=1-2"]Amazon.com: ONE THAT GOT AWAY, THE (M): My SAS Mission Behind Iraqi Lines (Memories of War) (9781597970082): Chris Ryan: Books[/ame]


    Survivors: Vietnam P.o.w.s Tell Their Stories by Grant Zalin: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Survivors-Vietnam-P-w-s-Stories/dp/0306805618/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311780838&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Survivors: Vietnam P.o.w.s Tell Their Stories (9780306805615): Zalin Grant: Books[/ame]


    Chained Eagle by Everett Alvarez: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Chained-Eagle-Everett-Alvarez/dp/0440207479/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311780877&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Chained Eagle (9780440207474): Everett Alvarez: Books[/ame]


    A Code to Keep: The True Story of America's Longest-Held Civilian POW in Vietnam by Ernest C. Brace: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Code-Keep-Americas-Longest-Held-Civilian/dp/1555716237/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311780904&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: A Code to Keep: The True Story of America's Longest-Held Civilian POW in Vietnam (9781555716233): Ernest C. Brace: Books[/ame]


    Beyond Survival by Gerald Coffee: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Survival-Gerald-Coffee/dp/0974567604/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311780931&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Beyond Survival (9780974567600): Gerald Coffee: Books[/ame]


    Bat-21 by William C. Anderson [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Bat-21-William-C-Anderson/dp/B000ZLQ30A/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311780957&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Bat-21: William C. Anderson: Books[/ame]
     
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  22. kronikcope

    kronikcope Active Member

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    Thanks Herk. I'll also recommend the "SAS Survival Guide". I can't remember the authors full name off the top of my head but it's John "lofty" _______ (can't remember last name).

    Edit - nevermind, you already had that up there ;)
     
  23. kronikcope

    kronikcope Active Member

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    Morel Mushrooms

    Easily identified by the brainy nature of the shroom, they come in several varities (Blacks, Yellows, Greys, Half Free). There are "false morels" witch are easily identified as well. The "true" morel will be hollow on the inside when cut in half, and the false morel will be solid flesh. You'll find these in the US, depending on where you live, from late March to early June. Here in Ohio they come in around mid April and last until mid May, so you have a short window.

    These are a personal favorite of mine. Can be eaten raw, but best cooked.

    [​IMG]
     
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  24. Ctrl

    Ctrl Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    My new favorite thread evah.
     
  25. kronikcope

    kronikcope Active Member

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    Fat Hen

    A common weed that is often discarded, Fat Hen has great tasting leaves. Grows around 3ft tall, with often a reddish tint to the stem. Again, cooking the leaves like spinach is the best way to go.

    [​IMG]

    Stinging Nettles

    Stinging nettles can be found all over the country, for a good portion of the year. Pick the young leaves on the plant and BOIL them (8 minutes) which destroys the acid in the hairs. The leaves can be dried and taken with you for a later meal. Crushing the stem of the nettle will create naturally strong fibres, prefect for twine/rope making for snares, camp craft, etc.

    [​IMG]
     

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