Finding Food on the Seashore and Deserted Island

Tropical Islands are rarely desert islands, They will usually offer plenty to eat, both in the water and in the island. Seashore plants will differ according to the climate and they will be available when weather or tide prevent you gathering food from the sea. In the water you can find seaweeds of different varieties, which are a very valuable food source. For the Survivor, when on a deserted island, protein, fat and carbs are all extremely important for the energy that is needed to keep surviving until you are rescued or you self rescue.



 Seaweed can usually be found where the water has rocks and is more shallow so that the sun can reach them. Seaweed can also be dried and stored for months. It's good to have foods that can be stored for long periods of time, especially for the survivor, you never know how long you will be at a certain area or if you will be waiting to be rescued or if your going to self rescue.

 Mollusks & Bivalves... such as oysters, clams, scallops, and mussels should close tightly when trapped. When hunting for fish, mollusk, bivalves, lobster, sea urchins or other sea life, it is best to do it at low tide, when rock pools can be inspected and buried mollusk and other creatures can be dug from the sandy shores. Only eat mollusk that are alive and remember that if a mollusk is above the high tide water level (above low tide is fine), but if above the high tide level or if the water or fluid that comes out of the mollusk appear to have a green or yellow tint in color DO NOT HARVEST OR EAT these! They will make you extremely sick and may be toxic and can cause death. Survival code is that you NEVER risk eating or messing around with something that your are not exactly sure what it might be. If you are unsure, it is best to just leave it alone and look for something else to eat that you know is OK. Remember Fresh water fish are always OK to eat, But Salt water or ocean life has a lot of different varieties of fish that are extremely poisonous. Stick with what you know, It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Gastropods ... There are a few different varieties of gastropods such winkles and whelks that have an operculum (kind of like a trap door) that closes the entrance to the shell. It should close tightly if the shell is shaken. Some Gastropods, such as Limpets and Abalones have no operculum but are tightly anchored to the rocks, It is best to use a knife to pry underneath the edge of shell to harvest them from the rocks. If they are difficult to pry off of the rock then they are good to eat, but if they come of way to easy then they are more than likely sick or dead (just make sure that there is no green or yellowish color water or fluid before eating them). If there are any limpet found still anchored after high tide, then they are still good to eat. The Tide will usually wash away sick or dead creatures.

  
Cooking Shell Fish... You can cook shell fish in many different ways, with Bivalves such as clams, scallops, oysters and mussels, you can Boil them for 5-10 minutes, or you can place your bivalves (mussels, oysters, clams, etc..) on the coals of your fire for about 5-10 minutes and when the shells open they are ready to eat!!




SEA SNAKE

Fishing... Fish and sea snakes require more catching. Some fish are dangerous and all sea snakes are venomous. Distinguish snakes from eels by their scales and their broad flattened tails. On the coasts the best time to fish from the shore is about 2 hours after high tides. If you fish when the tides are still coming in you are going to be constantly retreating. Saltwater is known to rot clothing, shoes, and boots, so when fishing do it in shorts, or in your underwear or a bathing suit. (or if you are on a deserted island, go naked, it's not like anyone is going to see you and it will cool you off).

 Sea fishing requires a larger hook than freshwater fishing, if you don't have a hook, as a survivor you improvise by using things that are around you for instance you can use trash that washes up on shore from the ocean to make a hook or you can make a four prong spear. (which I will go over in another post).
  

Sea Eel

A wide variety of bait can be used when fishing in the ocean. You can use limpets, conch, snails, or even lug worms that can be dug up on sandy and muddy beaches. At low tide look for the coiled worm casts that shows you where their L-shaped burrows are.
  
Make use of the tide to help you catch fish by building large arrow shaped fish traps from stakes or rocks. Point them away from the shore. Fish will be caught when the tide recedes. This is what is called "Lazy man Fishing" or better yet "Low calorie Fishing". Using this method, not only will you have dinner being caught with out you having to expel calories that your body needs, babysit a pole or spear fish, but you can forage for food, water, and work on your shelter, which ever needs to be done priority wise. Work Smarter, Not harder.

Different types of Echinoderms






SEA CUCUMBER

Echinoderms... Another useful source of food, the echinoderms include starfish (not worth bothering with as food), sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Sea cucumbers creep about on the seabed or burrow in the sand. They look like wary black cucumbers, up to 8 inches long. Sea cucumbers should be Roasted over a fire until done or boiled for five minutes before eating. Sea Cucumbers are very tough and chewy after they are cooked.



SEA URCHIN

Sea urchins, or sea eggs as they are sometimes called, are usually prickly balls which cling on to rocks, just below the low water mark but they have burrowing relations, the cake and heart urchins and the sea  potato which can be found beneath the sand. Split open and eat the egg like 'yolk' inside. You can eat it raw, but it is safer to boil. AVOID any if their spines do not move when touched or if they smell bad when opened.




DIFFERENT KINDS OF CRUSTACEANS

Crustaceans... These include crabs, crayfish, shrimp, prawns, crab, and lobsters, all of which make their homes in rock pools. Lobsters are usually found beyond the tidal zone but sometimes can be found in deep pools or crevices. Look Under stones and seaweeds... Though you will have to be quick to catch them!!! A net would help. Improvised one from clothing and a piece of wire or a sapling. Sand crabs are abundant in the tropics. Active at nigh, they can be chased back to their burrow at the top of the beach dug out. Some even climb trees and can be knocked down.
   Freshwater crabs, crayfish, and shrimp are also found in many parts of the world. They are smaller than sand crabs and usually found in shallow water.

 All Crustaceans spoil quickly and they may contain harmful parasites. They must be eaten as soon as possible, so keep them alive in water until you are ready to cook them. They are cooked alive, either by plunging into boiling water, so that they die almost immediately, or by putting them in cold water and heating it up, which is claimed to lull them in to unconsciousness so that they feel no pain. Boil for 20 minutes. If you don't have some kind of container that you can boil them in, you can always put them on the hot coals of your fire for about 15 minutes or so. You will know when they are done.

Crabs have poisonous sections which must be removed. You do this by twisting off the claws and legs, then, with the crab on its back, place your thumbs under the flap at the tail and push upwards. Pull the flap up and away from the body and lift it off. This prevents the stomach contents from touching the flesh. Next press on the mouth and stomach come away in one piece. The lungs (known as "Dead men's Fingers"), which are harmful to eat, can them be pulled out and discarded.

 Lobster is easier to prepare. Cut along the back towards the head and split open. The stomach lies just behind the mouth and is removed with the head and intestinal cord.

Seabirds... Most ocean coast are alive with seabirds, Fish for them. Leave baited hooks among offal on flat rocks, even throw baited hooks into the air to be taken on the wind.  Try wrapping bait around stones. The sudden change in weight can make birds crash.
      Ground nesting birds can provide a rich source of eggs. Look for the ones that are easy to collect before risking raiding nests on cliffs. You can also try to catch the birds themselves at night when roosting, but do not risk climbing.
 

The White Tern lays their eggs directly on the tree branches

 Some birds, Like the White Tern, lay there eggs on branches in trees, These birds are easy to spot because they are white with a long, sharp, black beak. You can tell when you are close to one with an egg because the bird will flap its wings, and you can see the birds little spotted eggs just resting on a tree branch.
  







Thanks for reading, Be sure to read Surviving On A Deserted Island and Seashores And The Survivor
For related post on this article. Don't Forget to check out The Ruff Survival YouTube Channel.





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Surviving on a deserted Island

 SURVIVING ON A DESERTED ISLAND

 

 

Islands offer a special challenge to the survivor, especially small islands and those lacking resources. The feeling of loneliness is emphasized on an island and the sense of isolation acute. The problems are mental as well as physical. To help overcome them explore the island thoroughly and establish a daily routine.

  
Climb the highest point to make a sketch of the island and get a mental picture of the terrain. Explore every creek, cranny, bay and beach of the coastline. Then take you reconnaissances inland until the island is familiar.

 
The island may have been inhabited in the past. Remains of building offer a basis for shelter. Fence post and wire will be useful to repair your boat or build a raft. Vegetables may still be found growing and rats seem to follow man everywhere, sometimes they are the only permanent wildlife to be found.

 Shelter... Shelter will make life seem better and even a scrape in the ground will give some protection. If you find caves ensure that they are not tidal before you decide to use one. Remember that even caves that seem safe may be flooded or cut of by spring tides, which are higher than normal.

   On a barren rocky outcrop shelter may simply mean finding a place out of the wind. Water may depend on you collecting rainfall and distillation. Food will be whatever clings to the rocks, birds and bird eggs if you are lucky, and what you can haul from the sea.

Resources... On any small island resources will be limited. Take care not to over exploit any one of them. Water is often a problem, lack of it is the reason many islands are uninhabited. Lush vegetation will draw attention to spring and streams. Digging above the high water mark may produce water. Catch and store rainwater.

  
To desalinate sea water by distillation you need a lot of fuel, which may be scarce. Driftwood may be available and some seaweeds will burn when dried, but you need wood to get the fire going. Seal blubber also makes good fuel. Have a fire only when you really need one. Search beaches after every tide, not just food wood, but for plastic bottles or containers, netting, and other trash. Everything has a use for the survivor.

  
Once familiar with your island, venture out at night, more creatures can be seen and foraging may be more rewarding.

Coconuts... The coconut palm is found right through the tropics and subtropics and can provide many valuable resources. The fronds can be used for shelter, the husks for ropes and as tender for fire, growing points taste just like cabbages, the milk for hydration, the meat for calories, and the shell for cups and containers.

 

Removing The Coconut Husks... To remove the fibrous husk around the coconut force it over a sharpened stake, hit it on a sharp rock or split it with a hand axe. Extract the milk by piercing one of the dark 'eyes' of the nut itself before smashing the nut open to get the meat.

  

Coconut milk is a safe, refreshing, and very nutritional drink. A large nut may hold about 1 liter of water. Drinking the very young green or old dark brown nuts will give you diarrhea, so take that into consideration before drinking to many of those, Use them as an emergency back up, when you have no water at all to drink.  If you happen to get the coconut that still has what I like to call the "cotton candy" part of the coconut, where the center is a spongy edible delight, enjoy it, you don't find them often and it is the very best part of the coconut, full of rich nutrients and vitamins.

Extract coconut oil by exposing chopped white meat to heat, sun, or fire, Then collect the oil as it runs off, or by boiling and skimming the oil as it rises to the surface. Rub it on to  protect from sunburn, and chafing from saltwater, to repel insects, as a salve for sores and blisters or mixed with wood ash as a substitute for soap.

Climbing Palms... If coconuts don't fall on your head and you cant knock them down, or if you need to reach some high bananas, don't try to climb the tree trunk like a rope. Instead, tie a strong bandage of cloth into a strap and slip it around your ankles. Adjust it to hold your feet close to the trunk and then you can press the soles of your feet inward and grip with them while shimmying up the tree.

                  ATTRACTING RESCUE

• LAY OUT SIGNALS TO ATTRACT SEARCHERS BY ARRANGING ROCKS, SEAWEED AND ANYTHING THAT GIVES CONTRAST AND MOVEMENT WITH ITS SURROUNDINGS.

• SAND IS EXCELLENT FOR POLISHING METAL TO MAKE MIRRORS TO SIGNAL WITH.

• IF YOU CAN SEE A SHIP YOU CAN TRY AD MAKE CONTCT ON A VHF RADIO (IF YOU HAVE ONE)

• A BIG  'X' IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE MOST URGENT SYMBOL OR LETTER FOR AN INTERNATIONAL RESCUE SIGNAL

• 3 LINES IS ALSO KNOWN AS AN INTERNATIONAL RESCUE SIGNAL

• WRITE   SOS  AS BIG AS YOU CAN WITH DEADBRE, SEAWEED OR ANYTHING THAT IS A DIFFERENT COLOR THAN WHAT THE BACKGROUND IS.

• FIND SOMETHING BRIGHTLY COLORED THAT DOESNT GO WITH THE SURROUNDINGS, PUT IT ON A LONG BRANCH OR STICK, STICK IT IN THE GROUND AND MAKE IT LIKE A FLAG SO THAT RESCUE PERSONAIL KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND

• MAKE A HUGE FIRE, USE TRASH AROUND THE ISLAND THAT HAS WASHED UP FROM SEA, LIKE FLIPFLOPS, STIROPHOME, RUBBER, ANYTHING THAT WILL PUT OF ALOT OF DARK OR BLACK SMOKE.

• NEVER GIVE UP, KEEP TRYING, KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS OPEN TO EVERYTHING AROUND YOU.

• MAKE 3 CONTROLLABLE FIRES THAT YOU CAN HAVE READY TO LIGHT AT THE FIRST SIGN OF POSSIBLE RESCUE

And always remember... These methods can be used no matter where you may find yourself when trying to achieve self rescue or become found.

Thanks for reading, please check out my other post that are related to this one, I have the links below.
Also Thanks for all of your support, G+'s, Comments, shares on twitter and Facebook.
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Eric from Ruff Survival

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 http://ruffsurvival.blogspot.com/2013/03/seashores-and-survivor.html
http://ruffsurvival.blogspot.com/2013/03/getting-water-from-plants.html

Seashores and the survivor

SEASHORES 

 

Lets talk about the Seashore... Most seashores offer abundant sources of food and excellent prospects for survival. Even where they appear bleak and barren, there is food to be had. Coastal waters are the home of many life forms-- Seaweeds, fish, birds, molluscs and the plankton that support the marine animals. Inland lakes and water ways of all kinds will also team with life, with the exception of the Dead Sea and other areas of extreme salination, and those heavily polluted by man.

     Coasts can range from sheer cliffs to long and gently sloping beaches. From the sea a towering cliff offers no opportunity to escape the water. Even a stretch of beach at its foot is likely to be cut off by high tide in tidal waters, though it could offer a few hours of respite before swimming off to find another landing place. All kinds of shore, however, offer resources to exploit and there are few better places to be stranded.

Sandy Beaches...  Sandy Shores tend to be gentle and sloping. The tide goes out a long way, revealing large areas which are the habitat of burrowing species, let below the exposed sand. They include many worms and molluscs and they also attract feeding birds. Look for signs of buried mullucs. It is usually easier to spot the marks left by the syphons of buried bivalve under the shallow water at the sea's edge.

   Where the sand is not inundated by the tide and is blown into dunes, it may be possible to find fresh water and it is here that plants will grow.

  Sand is easily blown by the wind and gets into everything. Dunes also tend to be full of aggravating insects, so don't choose them for making camp or building shelter, if you can move beyond.

Muddy shores and estuaries....  Where a slow moving river joins the sea it deposits sediment, rich in nutrients, forming large mud flats. These can support many species of worms and mulluscs and provide a rich feeding ground for birds and animals.

Rocky Shores....  Rocky shores, if their cliffs are not too sheer, trap pools of water when the tide recedes. These pools may team with life. Rocks form a strata to which the many univalve shells can cling, and anchor for weed and sea urchins and crevices where octopus and other cephalopods can live.

   Soft rocks, such as chalk, marl and limestone, erode quickly and their surfaces are smooth, but hard rocks fracture in chunks and provide good nesting sites for birds.

 

Pebble Beaches...   Stretches of pebble beach, often found between sandy and rocky sections of the shore, sustain least life. The continual movement of pebbles makes a difficult habitat for most plants and animals.

 

Tides....   Tides vary considerably according to both location and time of year for they are caused by the counter-gravities of the sun and moon. In enclosed seas, such as the Mediterranean, they range over only a few meters. The Bay of Fundy, Between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, has a difference of 52 feet between low and high tide.

   A line of debreis along the beach; a change in appearance and texture from the long dry sand to that which is daily inundated; weed, shells, and color changes on vertical rock faces, all these will help to indicate the level to which the water is likely to rise.

    Always check access to and from a beach or rocky shore. Keep an eye on the rising water level so that you do not run the risk of being cut off. Tides not only scour the beach but throw up valuable flotsam and jetsam, often providing fuel for fires and may leave large fish stranded in rock pools along with their inhabitants.

 

          That's all for today....

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Getting Water From Plants

Water From Plants

Water Collectors... Cup shaped plants and cavities between the leaves of bromides (many of which are parasitic on the branches of tropical trees) often collect a reservoir of water.
       Bamboo often holds water in its hollow joints. Old and yellow stems are more likely to be water bearing. Shake them, if you can hear water slurping around cut a notch at the bottom of each joint and tip the water out.

 *  Ttraveller's Tree Ravenala madagascariensis, one of the banana family, can hold 2-4 pints of water between the bases of the chevron of leaf stalks.

Vines... Vines with rough bark and shoots about 2 inches thick can be a useful source of water. But you must learn by experience which are the water bearing vines, because not all have drinkable water and some have poisonous sap. The poisonous ones yield a sticky, milky sap when cut. You will know not to try that type again. Otherwise it is a matter of trial and error and worth trying any species.
      Some vines cause a skin irritation on contact if you suck them, so it Is better to let the liquid drip into your mouth rather than put your mouth to the stem, and preferable to collect it in a container.
     To obtain water from a vine select a particular stem and trace it upwards. Reach as high as possible and cut a deep notch in the stem. Cut off the same stem close to the ground and let the water drip from it into your mouth or into a container. When it stops dripping  cut a section from the bottom of the vine first as this will cause the liquid to run up the vine through capillary action.

Roots...  In Australia the water tree, Desert Oak and Bloodwood have their roots near the surface. Pry these roots out from the ground and cut them up into 12 inch lengths. Remove the bark. Suck out the moisture or shave to a pulp and squeeze over the mouth.
     It is not easy to find some of the most useful desert roots unless you have been shown by someone with experience. Australian Aborigines can identify a tiny twig which grows from a football like bulbous root, which can be a life saver. But unless you have been shown how to find them it is not worth expending your energy and resources looking.

Palms... The Buri, Coconut and Nipa palms all contain a sugary fluid which is very drinkable. To start it flowing bend a flowering stalk downwards and cut off its tip. If a thin slice is cut off the stalk every 12 hours the flow will be renewed, making it possible to collect up to a quart each day. Nipa palms shoot from the base so that you can work from ground level, on grown trees of other species you may have to climb up them to reach a flowering stalk.
     Coconut milk has considerable water content, but from ripe nuts it is a powerful laxative and drinking too much would make you lose more fluids.


Nipa Palm



Buri Palm



Cacti...  Both the fruit and bodies of cacti store water, but not all cacti produce liquid safe to drink. The Saquarro, the giant multi fingered cactus of Arizona, is VERY Poisonous. Take Care to avoid contact with cactus spines, they can be very difficult to remove, especially the very ine hair like ones, and can cause festering sores if thy stay in the skin.
 

Saquarro Cactus

*Fun fact about the Saquarro cactus: Sereus giganteus of Mexico, Arizona and California, grows to 17 feet high and holds large amounts of fluid-But it is extremely poisonous. Collect and place in a solar still to evaporate and recondense during the cold night.



    The Barrel cactus Echinocactus grusoni can reach a height of 4ft tall, and is found in the southern United States through to South America and requires a considerable effort to cut through its tough spine covered outer skin. The best method is to cut off the top and chop out pieces from the inside to suck, or to smash the pulp within the plant and scoop out the water sap, which varies from tasteless in some plants to bitter in others. An average sized 3 1/2 foot Barrel cactus will yield about 1 liter of milky juice and the is an exception to the rule to avoid milky sapped plants.

Barrel Cactus

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Methods of Distillation

Distillation

Distillation kits are part of the equipment of life rafts, but they can be improvised. To distill liquid you need to make something to do the job of a laboratory retort. Pass a tube into the top of a water filled covered container, placed over a fire, and the other end into a sealed collecting tin which, preferably, is set inside another container providing a jacket of cold water to the vapor as it passes out of the tube. You can improvise the equipment from any tubing (pack frames for instance). To avoid wasting water vapor, seal around the joins with mud or wet sand.
    An easier method is a variation on the desert still. It takes a little longer for the water to condense but may be easier to set up.

 Instructions: Take a tube from a covered vessel in which polluted/saltwater, or even urine is to a boil. Set the other end under a solar still. A sheet of metal or bark, perhaps weighted down, will cover the vessel. Even a cone of leaf over the water pot will help direct the steam into the tube.

Water From Ice or Snow... Melt ice rather than snow, it produces a greater volume faster for less heat, Twice as much for half the heat. If forced to heat snow, place a little in the pot and melt that first, gradually adding more to it. If you put a lot of snow into the pot, the lower lever will melt and then be soaked up into the absorbent snow above it, leaving a hollow beneath which will make the pot burn. Lower layers of snow are more granular than on the surface and will yield more water.

Water From Sea Ice...  Sea ice is salt (not good for drinking) until it has aged. The ore recently frozen, the saltier it will be. New sea ice is rough in contour and milky-white in color. Old ice is bluish and has rounded edges, caused by weathering.
         Good water can be obtained from blue ice, the bluer and smoother the better. But beware of even old ice that has been exposed to salt spray.

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How to Make a Solar Still

Solar Still

Dig a hole in the ground approximately 36inches across and 18inches deep. Place a collecting can in the center, then cover the hole with a sheet of plastic formed into a cone. The sun's heat raises the temperature of the air and soil below and vapor is produced. As the air becomes saturated, water condenses on the underside of the plastic, running down into the container. This is especially effective in desert regions and elsewhere when it is hot during the day and cold at night. The Plastic cools more quickly than the air, causing heavy condensation. This kind of still should collect at least 1 pint over a 24 hour period.
  The still may also double as a trap. Insects and small snakes are attracted by the plastic. They may slide down into the cone or wriggle underneath it and drop into the hole and then cannot climb out. A solar still can be used to distill pure water from poisonous or contaminated liquids.

* Roughen underside of sheet with a stone to ensure droplets run down it. Use stones or weights to secure edges and keep cone shape. Fix can so that trapped creatures cannot tip it over.
    If feasible use a syphon to a lower level to draw off water without disturbing the still.

Warning about Urine and Sea Water
Never drink either... NEVER!!! But both can produce drinking water if distilled, and sea water will provide you with a residue of salt.

Getting water from Condensation

Condensation

Tree and plant roots draw moisture from the ground, but a tree may take it from a water table 50ft or more below, too deep to dig down to reach. Don't try, let the tree pump it up for you by tying a plastic bag around a leafy branch. Evaporation from the leaves will produce condensation in the bag.
 *Choose healthy vegetation and bushy branches. On trees keep the mouth of the bag at the top with a corner hanging low to collect condensed evaporation.
Placing a polythene tent over any vegetation will collect moisture by evaporation which will condense on the plastic as it cools. Suspend the tent from the apex or support with a padded stick. Avoid foliage touching the sides of the trap or it will divert water droplets which should collect in plastic lined channels at the bottom.
    Even cut vegetation will produce some condensation as it warms up when placed in a large plastic bag. Keep the foliage off the bottom with stones so that water collects below it, and keep the foliage from touching the plastic. Use Stones to keep the bag taut. Support the top on a padded stick . Arrange the bag on  a slight slope to encourage condensation to run down to the collecting point. When no longer productive carefully replace with fresh foliage.

Thanks for reading, Please check bag regularly for more from Ruff Survival
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How to Find WATER in a Survival Situation

Finding Water....

The first place to look is in valley bottoms where water naturally drains. If there is no obvious stream or pool, look for patches of green vegetation and try digging there. There may be water just below the surface which will build up in the hole. Even digging in gullies and dry steam beds may reveal a spring beneath the surface, especially in gravelly areas. In the mountains look for water trapped in crevices.
   On the coast digging above the high water line, especially where there are sand dunes, has a good chance of producing about  2 inches of fresh water that filters down and floats on the heavier salt water. It may be brackish but is still drinkable. Where cliffs fall into the sea look for lush growth of vegetation, even ferns and mosses, in a fault in the rock formation and you may find a soak or spring. If no freshwater can be found, Saltwater can be distilled.

     *Be suspicious of any pool with no green vegetation growing around it, or animal bones present. It is likely to be polluted by chemicals in the ground close to the surface. Check the edge for minrtals which might indicate alkaline conditions. ALWAYS  BOIL WATER FROM  POOLS. In desert there are lakes with no outlets, these become salt lakes. Their water MUST be distilled before drinking.

DEW AND RAIN COLLECTION.... Despite the acid rain produced by industrialized countries, which can cause build up of pollution in the soil, rainwater everywhere is drinkable and only needs collecting. Use as big a catchment area as possible, running the water off into containers of every kind. A hold dug in the ground and lined with clay will hold water efficiently, but keep it covered. If you have no impermeable sheeting, metal sheets or bark can be used to catch water in. If you have any doubt about the water you have collected, boil it.
    In Climates where it is very hot during the day and cold at night, heavy dew can be expected. When it condenses on metal objects it can be sponged or licked off.
    You can use clothing to soak up water and then wring it out. One way is to tie clean cloths around the legs and ankles and walk through wet vegetation. These can be sucked or wrung out.

All Animals Lead To water...

Mammals... Most animals require water regularly. Grazing animals are usually never far from water, though some kinds travel thousands of miles to avoid the dry season, as they need to drink at dawn and dusk. Converging game trails often lead to water, follow them downhill. carnivores (meat eaters) can go for a long period between watering. They get moisture from the animals on which they prey so are not a positive indication of local water.

Birds... Grain eaters, such as finches and pigeons, are never far from water. They drink at dawn and dusk. When they fly straight and low they are heading for water. When returning from water they are loaded with it and fly from tree to tree, resting frequently. Plot their direction and water can be found.
     Water birds can travel long distances without stopping to feed or drink so do not necessarily indicate water nearby. Hawks, eagles and other birds of prey also get liquids from their victims so cannot be taken as a sign of local water.

Reptiles... Not an indicator of water. They collect dew and get moisture from prey, so can go a long time without it.

Insects... Good indicators, especially bees... They fly at most 4 miles from their nests or hives, but have no regular water times. Ants are dependent on water. A column of ants marching up a tree is a going to a small reservoir of trapped water. Such reservoirs are found even in arid areas. Most flies keep within 100 yards of water.

Human Tracks....  Human tracks will usually lead to a well , bore hole or soak. It may be covered over with scrub or rocks to reduce evaporation. Be sure to Replace the cover out of the respect for the owner.

REMEMBER: RATION YOUR SWEAT NOT YOUR WATER!!
If you have to ration water, take it in sips. After going a long time without water, don't guzzle it when you find it. Take only sips at first. Large gulps will make a dehydrated person vomit, losing even more valuable liquid.

Thanks for reading, Be sure to come back and visit often for more great post.
Please feel free to leave questions or comments below.
Eric from Ruff Survival

The Importance of Water in Survival

Water is essential to all life. A person can survive for 3 weeks without food but only 3 days without water, therefore its discovery and conservation should be prioritized over food. Don't wait until you have run out of water before you look for it. Conserve what you have and seek a source as soon as possible, preferably fresh running water, though all water can be sterilized by boiling or by using chemical purifiers. In  a survival situation a 1 liter jug can be made to last 3 days. This is achieved by dividing the last 1/4 liter into three, then drinking half of the day's ration at midday, and the balance at night for 3 days.
   Water is the coolant that keeps the body at an even temperature, it is needed to keep the kidneys functioning to eliminate wastes, is required for breathing, and for digestion. But the fluids contained in the body are limited. Lost water must be replaced or health and efficiency will suffer. The average human requires the minimum of 1/4 liter of water per day to survive.

WATER LOSS... The average person loses 2-3 liters of water each day, even someone resting in shade loses about 1 liter. Just breathing loses fluids, and loss through respiration and perspiration increases with work rate and temperature.  Vomiting and diarrhea increase further loss. This must all be replaced to preserve the critical water balance, either by actual water or water contained in food.

HOW TO RETAIN FLUIDS

• Avoid exertion
• Just rest
• Don't smoke
• Keep cool
• Stay in Shade... If there is none erect a cover to provide it
• Do not lie on hot ground or heated surfaces
• Don't eat, or eat as little as possible. (if there is no water available fluid will be taken from the vital organs to digest food, further increasing dehydration. Fat is the hardest to digest and takes a lot of fluid to break down)
• Never drink alcohol
• Don't talk
• Breath through your nose, not your mouth

Thanks for reading, Don't forget to follow our blog, bookmark it or add it to your favorites. We post on a regular basis and have much more to talk about. Stay safe out there and always be prepared!!
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Please leave any questions or comments below.
Thanks again... Eric from Ruff Survival

Basic needs of Surviving

To reiterate, the main elements required for survival are FOOD, FIRE, SHELTER, and WATER. Use  PLAN (Protection, Location, Acquisition, and Navigation) to help you prioritise your survival needs. If you don't have shelter in the desert, having 2 liters of water is of little use to you in the longer term.
  It takes a healthy person quite a long time to die of starvation, for the body can use up its stored resources, but exposure to wind, rain and cold can be fatal even in temperate climates and death comes in only minutes in the icy waters of the poles. Food is rarely the first priority. Even in those places where it is difficult to find there are usually other problems to face first. Shelter will often be the prime necessity in extremes of climate or temperature. Not just in the frozen polar regions  or the baking deserts, but for walkers trapped by mist on a hillside. The need for fire is closely linked.
    Water is something that most people in the modern world take for granted. They are so used to turning on a tap that until an extreme drought causes water rationing they scarcely think about it.  Yet the survivor at sea, or after a flood, thought surrounded by water, may be desperate for drinkable water. And thee are many places where, unless it rains, no obvious water is available. The other survival necessities are dealt with later in my blog post, But water is universally important.

JUST HOW LONG CAN THE HUMAN BODY GO WITHOUT THE ESSENTIALS??
In general the human body can survive for 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food. There are always exceptions to this and there are examples of people pushing these boundaries and surviving for longer periods. It is amazing what the human body can endure but such a survivor's health can suffer in the long term due to such trauma. For example a person surviving for more than 9 days without water will undoubtedly suffer kidney damage or failure.

Keep yourself together when Facing Disaster

When facing a disaster it is easy to let yourself go, to collapse and be consumed in self pity. But there is no use giving up or burying your head in the sand and hoping that this is a bad dream that will soon pass. It won't, and with that kind of attitude it will rapidly become much worse. Only positive action can save you.
A healthy, well nourished person can physically tolerate a great deal, provided that he or she has self confidence. Even if sick or injured, a determined person can win through and recover from seemingly impossible situations. To do so there are many stresses that must be overcome.

SURVIVAL STRESSES
The survival situation will put you under pressure, both physical and mental. You will have to overcome some or all of the following stresses...

• Fear and Anxiety
• Pain, Illness and Injury
• Cold and/or Heat
• Thirst, Hunger and Fatigue
• Sleep Deprivation
• Boredom
• Loneliness and isolation

Can You Cope??? YOU HAVE TO!!

Self confidence is a product of good training and sound knowledge. These must be acquired before you have o face up to a survival situation.
     Physical fitness plays an important part. The fitter your are the better you will survive. Initially you may have to go without sleep to ensure that you are in  safe location, or make a long march in dangerous conditions. Do not wait until you are forced to go without sleep to see whether you are capable of doing so. Prove it to yourself now by getting into training. Develop the resources to cope with fatigue and loss of sleep.
     You will be working hard to procure food and water. They will relieve hunger and thirst. But finding them will tire you and you will need an adequate shelter to enable you to rest and recover from you efforts. Don't over do it. Rest frequently and assess the situation.
   Pain and fever are warning signals that call attention to an injury or physical condition. They are not in themselves dangerous, however distressing and discomforting. Pain can be controlled and overcome. Its biological function is to protect and injured part, to prevent you using it, but this warning may have to be ignored to avoid the risk of further injury or death.



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Lets Talk About Knives

A knife is a invaluable asset in a survival situation. As I have stated several times in many of my other blog post that having a knife is one of the most valuable things that you can carry. If you ask just about any survival expert they will tell you that If there Is one tool that they could pick when going out into the wild they will always pick the knife.

Choosing the Knife that's right for you...
A multi-bladed folding knife is a useful tool, but, if you carry only one knife, you need something stronger, a general purpose blade that will do all likely tasks efficiently and comfortably, from cutting trees to skinning animals and preparing vegetables. Some have a compass built into the handle or have the handle hollowed out so that you can carry survival kit inside it. However, these features will be offset by the possibility of  a hollow  handle breaking and a compass may soon lose its accuracy after the knife has been used on a hardwood tree. If you lose this kind of knife then you also lose your survival kit. So its much better to keep the kit in a separate pouch on you belt or on the sheath.

REMEMBER... YOU ARE ONLY AS SHARP AS YOUR KNIFE. Your knife is such an important piece of survival equipment, that you must keep it sharp and ready for use. Don't misuse your knife. Never throw it into trees or onto the ground. Keep it clean, and if you don't intend to use it for a while, oiled and in its sheath.
When walking though close, or difficult terrain, get in the habit of checking your knife This should become an automatic reflex especially after negotiating difficult terrain. A check of all pockets and possessions should be second nature.

Folding Knives.... A folding knife that has a serrated edge, and which can be opened one handed is valuable, provided it has a good locked position. Always carry one. A blade in a wooden handle is usually more comfortable. It will not slip in a sweaty hand and, if the handle is made from a single piece of wood, is less likely to cause blisters.

Sharpening a knife... Any sandstone will sharpen tools. A grey, clayey sandstone being best. Quartz though more rarely found, is good and granite can also be used. Rub two pieces together to make them smooth. A double faced stone with a rough and a smooth surface is ideal and should be carried in the sheath pocket. Use the rough surface first to remove burrs, then the smooth one to get a fine edge. The object is to get an edge that will last and not chip.

   * To Sharpen the blade, hold the handle in the right hand. Use a clockwise circular motion and apply a steady pressure on the blade with the fingertips of the left hand a you push away. Keep the angle constant and make sure you push the knife into stone so that the edge is sharpened rather than rounded. Keep the stone wet. Rock particles on the blade will show the angle you are obtaining. Don't drag the blade towards you under pressure. This will produce burrs. Reduce the pressure for a finer edge. Work counter clockwise on the other side.

Thanks for reading and come back for more valuable information. Don't forget to bookmark this page or add it to your favorites as I will be posting more each day. Also check out my You Tube Channel by visiting http://www.youtube.com/user/ruffsurvival.

All comments are welcome and encouraged. We appreciate your support!! Thanks Again...
Eric From Ruff Survival.

survival kit part 2 (the small kit)

In any survival situation you may need these valuable items. Always Be prepared!!

In a car, boat or aircraft don't stow all your kit separately. Pack a small survival kit, like a pouch or mini bag, to large to carry in your pocket like your survival tin but kept where it can be grabbed quickly in an emergency. If you are on foot keep it outside your back pack, and carry it on your belt. It should contain fuel, food, survival ban and signaling kit,all packed into a mess tin which protects the kit and doubles as a cooking utensil. If you get hungry for a snack, its there for you and in an emergency it gives you a first back up for survival. Anything you use from the pouch much be replenished a soon as possible.

Small Survival Kit... The small survival kit or pouch should be made from waterproof material and be large enough to take a mess tin. It must have a positive fastening that will not come undone under stress, and a strong tunnel loop to hold it on your belt. It's important to remember that the small kit or pouch contains matches, solid fuel, and flares, all the essentails an must be treated with care.

The Mess Tin... The mess tin that you want to get should be made from tin or aluminum, which are both light weight and strong. A good Cooking utensil, it protects the kit packed inside of it.

Fuel and mini stove... Preferably you should have solid hexamine fuel tablets in their own stove container, like the ones you find in the Esbit stove. Use these sparingly when a wood fire is inconvenient. They make an excellent fire lighter. The Stove simply unfolds to form an adjustable pot stand and a holder for burning the fuel tablets,  like the Esbit stove that you see below in the video.

Torch (Flash light)... Pack a small pencil like torch(flashlight) that takes up little room. Keep batteries inside it, but reverse that last so that, if accidentally switched on the batteries don't run down. Many modern torches use light emitting diodes (LED) as they are much brighter and last longer because they use less battery power and will typically work continuously for two weeks.

Flares... Signal flares to attract attention, especially in close country. Carry red and green mini flares and a discharger (no bigger than a fountain pen). These are explosive so pack carefully. Simply remove discharger and screw on to the flare. Withdraw the flare and point skywards at arm's length. Pull the trigger to fire.

Marker Panel... A strip or bar of fluorescent material about 1ft x 6ft used to attract attention in an emergency. One bar signals immediate evacuation. Form other signals with panels carried by others in your party (if there are any) Pack to stop the other items in the small kit or pouch from rattling. A silver thermal blanket is ideal for this.

Matches... Matches and Lighters are so important when it comes to survival. Pack s many matches as possible, and at least 2 Bic lighters, and if possible place them into a water proof container. You can never have enough matches. And when packing lighters is always best to pack 2 just incase you loose one, or one doesn't work. Pack brightly colored lighters like bright orange, red, white or even pink. These colors are not normal in the bush so they can be easily spotted when dropped. Be careful when packing your matches, you don't want them rubbing up against one another and causing them to ignite, So Safety above all.

Brew Kit... There is nothing like a brew of hot coffee or tea to boost moral, warm up your core body temp and give you an extra boost of energy. So pack instant coffee, tea powder and sachets of milk and sugar. Just remember Tea quenches thirst, but to much coffee can make thirst even worse.

Food... Fat is the hardest food to come by when living off the land. It's extra calories earn it a place in your kit. Tubes of butter, lard or ghee are availiable....... Dehydrated meat blocks are nourishing and sustaining, though not very good in flavor. Chocolate is a good food, but does not keep well. Check regularly. Salt Must be included, or better still and electrolyte power which contains vitamins, Salt and other minerals that the body requires. Also granola or breakfast bars are great items to pack, full of carbs, protein and vitamins, they give the survivor the boost of energy needed to push on through the day. Nuts are a great source of protein, giving you extra energy and boost to get through to the next day.

Survival Log...  Keep a written survival log of all events. Do Not Trust your memory. As the days pass and fatigue sets in your mind starts to loose a grasp of reality. So having a journal of some sorts is very important to the survivor. It will help you keep your barrings. Record discoveries of rsources, and what works and what does not work. It becomes a valuable reference and making it can really help boost your moral and keep it up.

Ok that's all for now. Come back and check with us for more great tips and other great content. We thank you for reading and please feel free to leave comments below. Don't forget to check out our you tube channel at http://www.youtube.com/ruffsurvival Thanks again, and please share on Facebook, twitter, and google plus.
Twitter: @ruffsurvival

Survival Medical Kit

When getting  a medical kit together it depends on your own skills when packing it and using it. Pack medications in airtight containers with cotton wool to prevent rattling, and it can be used to start a fire if needed. Here are a few essential items to carry that will cover most ailments...

Analgesic... A pain reliever for mild and moderate pain. Codeine phosphate is ideal for tooth, ear, and headaches, Ibuprofen or Advil is also very good for these types of ailments especially sense you have to have a prescription to get Codeine. One tablet of the Codeine phosphate every six hours as needed but can cause constipation as a side effect, so it can also help if you are having loose bowel movements. Now you can't give this to children So that is why its good to Carry Tylenol or ibuprofen, these can be given to children and don't cause constipation. Although they may not be as strong as Codeine they do work for mild pain.

Intestinal sedative... For treating acute and chronic diarrhoea. Imodium is usually favoured. DOSE: 2 capsules initially, then once each time a loose stool is passed.

Antibiotic... For general infections. Tetracycline can be used even by people hypersensitive to penicillin. DOSE: one 250mg tablet, four times daily repeated for five to seven days. Or there is Omoxocylin that is also a great antibiotic that can be used by people that are hypersensitive to penicillin, That is what I usually keep on hand, I myself am allergic to penicillin and it works great. DOSE: one 500mg tablet 2 times a day for 5-7 days. Be sure to carry enough for a full course. If taking either of these antibiotics be sure to steer clear of milk product, calcium and iron preparations or other drugs containing aluminium hydroxide.

Antihistamine... For allergies, insect bites and strings ( may also help in Case of a bad reaction to a drug). Piriton is recommended in Britain, Benadryl (which I highly recommend) in the USA, Sleepiness is a side effect of both, so both can be useful as a mild sleeping pill. Do not exceed the recommended dosage, or take with alcohol.

Water Sterilizing Tablets... For use where water is suspect and you can not boil. Iodine is also a great way to sterilize water, just for safety precautions I carry both. Be sure to do a little homework to see how much is needed.

Anti-Malaria Tablets... This is only a necessity if you will be traveling where malaria is present. There are types which require only one tablet taken monthly. Check around, do research on which is the best to get.

Potassium Permanganate... add to water and mix until water becomes bright pink to sterilize it, deeper pink to make an antiseptic and to a full red to treat fungal diseases such as athlete's foot. It can also be used in combination with glycerin to cause a chemical reaction and make a fire.

Surgical blades... At least 2 scalpel blades of different sizes. A handle can be made from wood when required. Now this is not usually a necessity, but if you have room, bring them.

Butterfly sutures.... Use to hold the edges of wounds together. works a lot like stitches but without the needle and thread.

Bandages.... Assorted sizes, preferably waterproof, for minor abrasions and keeping cuts clean. They  can be cut and used as butterfly sutures.

Condom... A rather unlikely source, but very usable in a survival situation. Condoms believe it or not make a great water bag, holding up to 1 litre of water. It is easiest to fill from a source that has an abundance of water and a degree of water pressure, like a waterfall.

Survival Kit Part 1

A few key items can make all the difference in the fight for survival.
Collect the things listed below. They can all be fitted into a small container, such as a 2oz tobacco tin, or an Altoids  tin, or whatever small waterproof tin that you can find. Make a habit of always having this tin with you. Don't get something that is huge, or bigger than about wallet size, you wont find it convenient to carry with you and you could risk not carrying it with you and then on the occasion that you actually need it, you are screwed because it's just sitting at home on your night stand. And that would truly suck.
Experience has proved that each item earns its place, though some are more useful in some situations than in others. A good example of that would be Fish hooks, Of course you would need them If your in the forest with streams, lakes and creeks, but in the desert you are less likely to need this item. But there are lakes in the desert, so it is good to have that particular item in your tin. You never know.

Polish the inside lid of the tin to make a  mirror like reflecting surface and seal it, to be waterproof, with a strip of adhesive tape, such as electrical tape or duct tape. I prefer duct tape because it doesn't loose it's adhesiveness. And it is much more easier to remove and replace it over and over again. Regularly check the contents of your tin, changing any which deteriorate, such as matches and medicine tablets. Mark all drug containers with use and dosage and a run out date when they should be replaced. Pack spare space in the tin with cotton wool, which will keep the contents from rattling and can be used for fire lighting.

Good things to carry In your tin are as follows

Matches... waterproof matches are useful but bulkier than ordinary non safety, strike anywhere matches, which can be made shower proof by dipping the heads into melted candle fat. To save space snap off half of  each matchstick. It is much easier to use matches that to make fire by other methods but don't waste them, use only when improvised methods fail. Take them from the tin one at a time and replace the lid. Never leave the container open or lying on the ground, This can ruin all of your items in you tin (kit) and will later be the cause of your demise.

Candles... invaluable for starting a fire as well as a light source. Shave square fore packing. If made of tallow it is also fat to eat in an emergency or to use for frying, but be sure that it is tallow before eating, paraffin was and other candles are inedible. Tallow does not store well, so I recommend just sticking with regular candles, They provide light when you have no flash light, and can give you some comfort when out in the wild.

Flint... flints will work when wet and they will go on striking long after you run out of matches. Invest a flint, or magnesium bar. I see them everywhere, you can buy mag bars with the saw striker just about anywhere that sells camping goods, they only cost between $5-$10 bucks and last a good long time. You can get Flint or metal match at just about any camping store, Wal-Mart, or amazon. I carry the Gerber Flint and steal, the replacement steal is only $5 bucks, and you can use the back end of  your knife to strike the flint. I got mine from the Gerber website, I have the Bear Grylls fire starter, but they have others as well. Amazon has a lot to choose from.

Magnifying glass...   You can start a fire from direct sunlight using a magnifying glass, and it is very useful for splinters and strings.

Needles and Thread... Several needles, including at least one with a very large eye that can be threaded with sinew and coarse threads. choose strong thread and wrap it around the needles. They an be used for repairing or making clothes in an emergency. They can also be used for sewing up a bad cut, If a hospital is way out of reach, the only it may be the only thing that you have to keep yourself alive longer, and you have less risk of getting infection.

Fish hooks and line....  A selection of different hooks in a small tin or packet. Add a few split lead weights. Remember that a small hook will catch both large and small fish but a large hook will only catch big fish. Include as much line as possible, it will also be useful for catching birds or other small game. You can use fishing line to make snares, all though they will probably only be able to be used once, it can help you find your next meal.

Compass... A compass is a fantastic tool to carry with you, I find that carrying 2 is a good rule of thumb, that way if they are both pointing in the same direction than they cant be wrong. Many people that find there self in a survival situation often get scared, they don't trust their compass, they don't trust there sense of direction, and they have even been know to attack their rescuer out of fear. So be sure to learn how to use a compass, and always carry one. (2 if possible)

A good Knife... Always have a good knife with you, keep it in the glove compartment of your car or in the trunk. Be sure to look up any laws in your area to be sure you can carry the knife with you. Having a good knife can be the difference between life and death when in a survival situation. Everyone has their own preference when it comes to a survival knife, There are so many different ones out there to choose from and all have very fantastic strengths about them.  I carry the Gerber Para cord knife that was inspired by Bear Grylls, It has many uses, you can watch my video about the knife here: I will be doing a series about this knife in the near future.

 

 

Machete.... Now, its great to have a good saw and a good machete, But why not have both? There are many different brands of Machetes and saws out there on todays market. But I recommend the Gerber Gator 2, This has an extremely sharp edge on one side and a saw on the other. at about 18'' in length, this guy really gets the job done, see the video below. It's always great to have tools that have multiple uses, and this Gerber Gator 2 has exactly what you need. Remember it is always best to carry tools that have more than 2 uses.

Cordage... Cordage is very important to have when going out into the wild. I recommend carrying a 100ft roll of 550 para cord. This is fantastic for making shelters, snares, fishing line, climbing down small cliffs with ease and safety. There are 100's of uses for para cord, and its pretty cheap, at around $9 bucks you can find it on Amazon, at your local surplus store, or online.

As we all know there are many different items that are very important when going into the wild, on a camping trip or in a survival situation. Check back often for more great things to consider taking when going on a trip. Thanks for reading as always, and check back frequently for more post.