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Five Reasons to Bring a Swiss Army Knife
Many of us marvel at television shows like the Discovery Channel’s “Man vs. Wild” and marvel at all of the things the survivalists are able to accomplish with so little support out in the wilderness. But there’s a common denominator to many of these shows – and to better survival, in general – that helps explain their success.
Their knife.
Any knife has a million and one uses in the wild, but a quality knife like a Swiss Army Knife, with its variety of blades and options, is even more practical. With that in mind, here are five reasons to bring a Swiss Army Knife on your next camping trip.
1. Scissors.
Each Swiss Army Knife comes with a small scissors. These scissors might seem superfluous indoors, but it’s only out in the wild where you discover the kind of help they can offer. Whether you’re repairing tents or untying knots, it’s definitely more practical to have a small pair of scissors in your back pocket.
2. Fold-away blades.
It’s not only convenient to have a variety of blades and tools at your disposal, but being able to fold them away safely is a major plus. You can keep all of the different tools and blades tucked away in your back pocket, saving you both worry and space. A Swiss Army Knife can be like having a toolbox the size of a Chicken McNugget.
3. The knife, stupid!
Don’t forget the benefits of a knife – whether you’re cutting meat, gutting a fish, shaving bark, or peeling an apple. The chances aren’t very good that you’ll find yourself in a life-or-death situation on your next camping trip, but it can’t help to be prepared while enjoying the benefits of a strong blade.
4. Preparing for the unexpected.
If you’re really venturing far into the wilderness for a more rustic camping experience, the chances are good that you’ll encounter something you didn’t plan for. A simple knife is definitely beneficial, but a knife with all of the options of a Swiss Army Knife will help you feel that much more prepared.
5. Getting used to the outdoors.
It’s not the same “outdoors” experience when you bring a camper into the woods and enjoy all of the same luxuries you have at home. Sometimes, it’s better to get out there, use tools you wouldn’t otherwise use, and explore your “survivalist” side.
There are more reasons to bring a Swiss Army Knife along with you on your next camping trip – this is just a small sampling. To explore more of the reasons, why not make a purchase and get off of the couch and into the woods?
Photo Credits: Alesist
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How to Survive a Forest Fire
You might have heard the old catchphrase “Only you can prevent forest fires.” But what if you actually find yourself in one? Granted, for many people this is a longshot, but if you plan on going out and camping in the woods, it might not be a bad idea to be prepared to protect your family and yourself. Here’s a quick guide to what experiencing a forest fire might be like.
First, if you encounter an out-of-control fire that you started yourself, remember the best way to put out these fires: clothing, towels, and flame-resistant tarps or drapes. Using water isn’t as effective as you might think unless you have enough of it to completely engulf the flame. If you can’t find anything else, use the ice water from your cooler, as that will probably be the most water you have access to. If you’re near a river or lake, use this cooler to scoop up water as a last-case scenario.
If it becomes apparent that a fire is out of your control and your life might be in danger, you have to move out. Whether or not you started the fire, the authorities need to know about it as soon as possible – the faster they arrive, the better they’ll be able to control the situation. Don’t worry about anything else except for keeping yourself, your friends, and your family safe.When you move away from a fire, keep into account how a fire moves – the direction of the wind will be important to monitor. The wind will blow fires onto new branches, bushes, and trees, so that will help you predict a better escape route. Keep in mind that fires also tend to travel uphill faster than downhill, since heat rises. Getting down to a lake or river if possible will help, as long as you have a way of escaping. Otherwise, don’t let yourself get trapped. Crossing a river can be helpful if you have no other recourse.
If a situation arrives that requires you to “break through” the fire – i.e., travel through it – you can still take safety precautions, as long as you’re aware that this should be a last option.
To do this, cover your face with a wet cloth – dry if that’s all you have – and run through the fire as fast as possible. Be ready to stop, drop, and roll on the other side of the flames to extinguish any fires that caught on your clothing.
Be sure to have the goal of consulting the local authorities as soon as possible, as long as it is safe to do so. Ultimately, your only job is to survive.
Photo Credits: leppre
