Carrying a Mobile Phone

The mobile or Cell phone is one of the great inventions of the twentieth century. In an emergency situation it can be a real life saver. Some phones are better than others, so it's worth doing some homework to see what kind gives you the best coverage. Its also very important to check out network coverage. As most people know, and this is my opinion, but Verizon Wireless always seems to have better signal than T-Mobile or AT&T. Even where I live, In the Smoky Mountains of NC, I didn't get signal with my T-Mobile phone so I switch over to Verizon. It's always good to keep a "throw a way" phone in your car at all times. You never know when something bad is going to happen, So go to Wal-Mart or any other store and get a Verizon flip phone to keep in your car at all times, you can buy one at Wal-Mart for $15 bucks, also get a car charger for both, Your regular cell phone and your "throw a way" phone. That way you always have a way of charging your phone. Keep your phones charged as often as you can. It can be the difference between life and death.
Charging your phone can be a problem in the wild, so you should always use your phone wisely, and that is why I cant say it enough, Always keep your phone charged. YOU never know what is going to happen, life is unpredictable.
Now days you can buy solar powered devices that will charge phones and other electronic devices when your camping or hiking. They also have hand held manual chargers, so look into getting one of these items, especially if you are one of those people who love going on long camping trips or hiking trips.
If you happen to be in any kind of survival or emergency situation, be sure to keep your phone as dry as possible, Remember water and moister is the enemy to your phone, so keep it dry. Also, Make short phone calls on the hour, Someone could be picking up your signal so don't give up. Once you receive confirmation that the rescue is under way, keep the phone on and listen for any incoming calls. It could be your rescue party. And If your phone has a tracking device in it, it can help rescue find you even faster.

That's all for today, Please leave any comments below, and be sure to G+ .
Also Check out my You tube channel for great videos. http://www.youtube.com/user/ruffsurvival

The importance of a Radio during survival

If you are deciding to go out into the wild and camp or go on a hike, always be prepared. You cant predict the weather, but If you carry one of these very small light weight radios, then you have a better chance of knowing what is going on around you, or what may be coming weather wise.

You don't want to be suck in a survival situation without some kind of out side source to knowing what is going on in the world around you. This radio offers a weather band channel, and both am and FM channels. It requires No Batteries, it winds up and has a solar panel on the top to ensure that it will work while you are out.

It gives a person a good sense of well being if you can listen to some music to calm your nerves, or if you are in a situation to were you cant get home, You can listen to the weather band channel and determine what kind of shelter that you will need to build.

Although a radio is not a necessity, It is good to have one with you, and you cant go wrong carrying one of these. I bought both of mine through Amazon, but you can always look at your local surplus store or other websites to find one that fits your needs. I like amazon myself because of the free shipping, and the price was extremely reasonable. I only paid 25 bucks for both of these. So one would only cost you around $13 bucks. (unless you know where to get one cheaper) They hold up well extremely well and they are really nice to have if your power goes out or your are in any other emergency situation.

Thanks for reading.

The Importance of Survival skills and Training

We are living in an uncertain world, It was only a couple of months ago that everyone thought that the world was ending. Survival is so important in this day in age, anything can happen, and it is your responsibility to learn all you can about survival and what to do when in a survival situation. That being said I am going to take you through a course of what I know and what I have learned that should help you in any survival situation that you may find yourself in. And with this knowledge, I will give you the confidence that you need to survive against the odds and allow you to adapt and overcome when something happens to go wrong.


The need for survival training has never been greater. People all over the world have become much more adventurous and informed about the world around us. Using what little knowledge that they have and their wealth to get them places that have not yet been explored putting them in to dangerous situations.  That is why it is so important to get survival training and knowledge before you go on a vast journey around the world. The possibility to become lost is always there. And it is so important to learn all you can. Knowledge is so powerful and it is weightless, so learn all you can about the  environment that you are going to, learn all you can about the plants, animals, and bugs. Knowing survival Skills can and will save your life.

It is extremely important to practice survival skills and be prepared for anything. Survival training is the best insurance policy that you could ever have. You could be anywhere in the world Isolated and away from any kind of civilization.

Check back for more on the importance of survival skills and training.

The Will To Live

Although initially it may take great physical effort to escape a dangerous situation, survival is above all a mental exercise. After the excitement of  the incident and the rush of adrenalin has settled it takes great mental resolve to carry on. What keeps us going is the basic instinct, best referred to as "the will to live".
Will to Live
This is the firm foundation on which we build all of our training. We constantly try to nourish and increase the will to live. Its easy to see how physically fit we are but very difficult to know how mentally fit we are.
The will to live means never giving in, regardless of the situation. It's very reassuring to know that there is nothing on this earth that we cannot deal with, and there is no place where we cannot survive. As long as we follow the basic survival principles, prepare ourselves, and apply this will to live, we will come through. Some people have a stranger will than others, but we can all improve.
   Some of us turn to religion in times of stress, others think of loved ones. Fear of failure or letting down comrades all help to strengthen our will to live. Reading about past exploits of survival will also help. You can have all the knowledge and kit in the world but without the will to live you can still perish.

Trapping animals for survival Part 1

As most of those who have never done any trapping know practically nothing regarding the use of traps I will outline briefly the methods usually employed for the capture of fur-bearing animals before proceeding farther.
Most of the animals which are caught in traps are decoyed by means of a bait,--something in the line of food which appeals to its appetite,--so placed that in attempting to reach it the animal places its foot in the trap. The most common way is by setting the trap in the entrance to some natural enclosure, such as a hollow log or stump, a hollow between trees, or a hole in the rocks, or under a stump the bait being placed in the enclosure beyond the trap. Failing to find a natural enclosure, the trapper constructs one, using such material as may be found on the spot. It is advisable as a rule to make as little disturbance as possible and to give the enclosure a natural appearance.

It sometimes happens that an animal can not be induced to approach a bait and in such cases the "blind set" is resorted to,--in other words the trap is set without bait in a trail where the animal travels or at the entrance of its den. Failing to find such a place the trapper carefully studies the route of the animal and selects a place where some natural or artificial obstruction will crowd it into a certain spot where he carefully sets his trap in such a way as to catch the animal the next time it comes along. These blind sets are as a rule very successful and many trappers use such methods exclusively.

Now we don't recommend trapping game or animals unless you are in a survival situation, Stating that, be sure to know the laws and regulations in the area in which you are, And only trap animals if you are in an absolute Survival Situation.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for part 2.

Get Ready To Go Camping Part 1

Here we are at the brink of spring, and what does that mean? Well it means that it is time to pack up the tent and sleeping bags and get ready for some guaranteed family fun time!!
Now, when a lot of people think of going camping (depending on if you have ever been or not) they think of being outdoors, hiking, fishing, sitting around a nice campfire, and having a great outdoor experience.
There are a lot of great places to camp at depending on where you live. You have your national parks that have camping spots posted and then you have your places that you can set up your tent just about anywhere (be sure to check the laws in your area first) and then there is the KOA and other camping grounds, which in my opinion aren't all that great, you are stuck about 5-10 feet away from another family camping on each side, no privacy, and not really to fun. Sure the KOA have pools and game rooms, but If you want to camp somewhere that your right on top of other people then Hey, that's ok if that is what you want. But personally I like to go where my family and I are away from all of that, where you set up your tent, build your fire, and have no one around you. Setting up a camp beside a nice creek or stream is always a great, Your kids can splash around in the cold water, you have plenty of water at your deposal for cooking and boiling to drink. (which remind me, ALWAYS BOIL YOUR WATER IF YOU GET IT OUT OF A CREEK OR STREAM BEFORE DRINKING IT)

Camping can be fun for everyone in your family. Just make sure that you have all the things that you need.
1. Tarp
2. Tent
3. Sleeping Bags (or blankets)
4. A cooler
5. Extra Clothes
6. Food
7. Trash bag
8. Radio ( if you enjoy listening to a little bit of music while you camp)
9. Lantern, Flashlight, Lighter or matches
10. Bug spray
11. A propane stove ( if you don't want to cook over the fire)

Now, there are other things that you would want to bring with you depending on what you and your family like to do while you camp. Bringing cards, balls, and games is something that you might want to think about bringing, Its important to have fun while your camping. And make the experience the best it can be.

Be sure to stop by for the next part of Get Ready To Go Camping.
Thanks for reading

The Esbit Pocket stove

The Esbit pocket Stove is small enough to fit into your back pocket. At around $12 bucks  it comes with 6 fuel tablets and the stove, It's quite the deal. It was manufactured in Germany, so it is well made. The tablet has a burn time at around 8-12 minutes, just enough to purify water, heat up a quick meal, or make a cup of hot coffee or tea.

You can find this little stove at just about any army surplus store and online. It's really worth having this little stove to put in your Bug Out Bag or even in the trunk of your car in case of an emergency. The tablets are easy to find and cost less than $10 bucks.

In the video above you can see this Esbit stove in action, Although that was the first time that I have used this stove, I have found that it comes in handy during future use and is well worth the few bucks it cost to buy this little guy. 

I highly recommend this stove for anyone that needs one for their bug out bag or for camping or emergency uses. Be prepared because you never know.