Hammer Stryke

Self-Reliance Training, Inc

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Tactics

Extreme Wilderness Survival – Craig Caudill 2017
“The word tactics has , in modern times, been most often utilized in regard to military or naval operations of some sort. While this definition is certainly one that is appropriate, tactics is also defined as “any mode or procedure for gaining advantage or success”. Therein lies my use in our purpose here… The goal in wilderness survival is to do anything you can to gain an advantage. Sometimes this does involve the use of firearms as a means of gaining an advantage over a stronger or more skilled aggressor. Other times this might mean developing your kids at a young age to be self-reliant and skilled survivalists. This offers you an advantage for you and your family (or any other group) simply because you have more numbers of skilled survivalists…. Virtually everything I have written has been from the basis of understanding that you are alone and without help or assistance. How advantageous would it be if you had three more people with skills just like your own? It would be huge!”

Well said! Craig’s book Extreme Wilderness Survival should be in your collection. Too often we have students, typically the man, who attends class to get skills to carry the family in a survival situation, man made or natural. And we say time an again, “What happens if you are the casualty? Can your family take care of business and all survive?” We recognize the importance or building a team, commonly referred to as tribe, kith, kin; and we offer family discounts and even encourage youth to attend at half price or even free so that they gain skills as well. Please, get the whole family involved in your prep plans!

And since we are talking about books, other good books to have in your library (ALWAYS in print form – your e-book will be worthless in a grid down situation).
“The Survival Doctor’s Complete Handbook” – James Hubbard, MD, MPH
“Armageddon Medicine” – Cynthia Koelker, MD
and of course “Emergency War Surgery” – Office of the Surgeon General
And getting trained in Emergency Medicine goes without saying, Basic First Aid at a minimum, and as much higher qualifications as you can manage. Getting the certificate is nice but getting the skills is the most important. Take a class or get with a buddy who has the skills and have them pass it onto you and yours. Needle decompression, wound packing, suturing, etc…. are all good skill sets. And don’t forget your family, have them join you and make it a family class!

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Survival – an everyday thought!

I was talking with friends this past weekend about survival. (yes, this a common occurrence; yes, I do have friends; and yes, I talk about preparedness a lot) The subject came up during talk about how a local duck hunter had drowned and another one had died of exposure after making it to shore. We all do so much each day that could potentially lead to death if any one little thing goes wrong. Either recreational pursuits or everyday routine. Driving our car to town for grocery shopping and we end over an embankment for whatever reason, swerving to avoid a deer or rock, etc… The brush closes back over your car and no one knows you are there. You survive a boat capsizing and make it to shore – in January, freezing, shivering, and with a long walk that you aren’t ready for. What started off routine quickly goes downhill.

In our minds eye we are the ultimate Boy Scout, John Colter, or Jedidiah Smith rolled up into one modern day package; sure, but of course we can build a shelter, quickly get a blazing warming fire going, recover and hike out for help, etc… But can we? And then there are those of us who refuse to think that something unfortunate can happen to us.

It’s difficult enough to strike a spark, or even find a wind break, much less doing this without light, with cold wooden fingers, shivering so hard you cannot keep a match lit, if you had one. Now try to do it for the first time in your life at 2 in the morning, with freezing rain, while going hypothermic….

Why is it human nature to deny the inner voice accusations that you are not ready? (and you aren’t by the way) Sure we do not like to think that today is the day that I don’t come home, or that a loved one doesn’t come back from the store. It is an unpleasant thought, yet it is simple to try and be ready. And yet we do not take any time to prepare or train to ensure that you are ready to AND have the skills to, get back home. Simply going outside and doing a little practice fire building, with a few different methods can a make a huge difference between dying, living, and having some comfort…or signaling that you are here. But so many of us cannot be bothered to take even 5 mins to improve our life, or survivability.

I do not leave my bedroom without fire starting materials. I can build a fire quickly, efficiently, and with several different methods – in just about any conditions. I carry basic shelter material on my person. I carry a basic pack of helpful items for when I am outside everywhere I go. Most of this is a holdover from 3+ decades as a Search and Rescue Professional carrying a pager and radio for instant responses. In any event, most people think I am the most ready person they know, and I think I have been lucky, because I see myself as having a lot to do yet. Skills and knowledge are not fool proof, Murphy waits in the wings for all of us.

Please, for this new year, get your family and yourself prepared, and get out there! Practice and make sure you and yours know how to do the basic skills!