By John A. Heatherly, Author of The Survival Template

photo by marksontok

Coined by Jim Collins in his book, Good to Great, the term “The Stockdale Paradox” has come to describe then mentality of one of the toughest survivors to be studied, Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale.

Admiral Stockdale spent seven years in the Hoa Lo Prison in Vietnam, where he endured and survived unspeakable conditions.  Years later he was asked how he coped during such dark, tortuous times.  His answer:  “I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade.”  It is interesting that he CHOSE to make captivity “the defining event” of his life.  His disciplined mind was able to frame the experience to his advantage.

When asked, “Who did not survive?” he responded,  “They were the ones who said, ‘We’re going to be out by Christmas.’ And Christmas would come, and Christmas would go. Then they’d say, ‘We’re going to be out by Easter.’ And Easter would come, and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they died of a broken heart … This is a very important lesson. You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”

The Stockdale Paradox (faith that you will prevail + discipline to confront the most brutal facts of current reality) can be practiced and developed BEFORE times get dark.  It is a mental perspective that can be powerfully effective, and is a gift from Admiral Stockdale that we all can make use of.

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.

By John A. Heatherly, Author of The Survival Template

photo from AFR 64-4, Figure 19-15, page 189

A variety of events can contaminate ordinary, working sources of water.  For example, rainstorms, or even worse, hurricanes, can pollute tap-water that is normally clean.  In other cases, a pond or puddle may be used as a water source.  With a little improvisation these problems can be remedied, allowing for better-tasting, better-smelling water.  NOTE:  This type of filter will NOT purify water, but is meant to be used in conjunction with a purification method (boiling, iodine, bleach, etc ….)

The figure above illustrates a three-stage water filter built out of a tripod and porous cloth.  This simple device is highly effective in cleansing drinking water.  I have seen a version of this constructed out of a plastic milk jug that washed up on the beach (a large, plastic soda bottle would work as well.)  In this case, the bottom of jug was removed with a knife and a piece of cloth was placed over the jug’s mouth.  The inner layers of the filter were the same as in the image: charcoal, sand, and grass.

Projects such as this water filter can also make for great fun on family outings and camping trips.  Again, ensure that the water is PURIFIED before drinking it, and experiment with filters such as this one to improve the look and taste.

Anyone have experience with filters similar to this one?

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.

By John A. Heatherly, Author of The Survival Template

photo by jennaddenda

Early Spring can bring spectactular Family time!  The following tricks for finding and gathering dry firewood are extraordinarily practical and work great when approached as “games” that children and parents can play together.

1. “Squaw Wood” – Though the term Squaw Wood is sometimes in question, generally this refers to dry branches that can be found at the bases of evergreen trees.  The boughs and uppers branches of the trees tend to protect the Squaw Wood from rain, making it an excellent choice for kindling.  One game, that works especially well in a predominately deciduous forest, is to have children scan the hillsides for evergreen trees.  From a distance they stand out really well.  Dry Squaw Wood can normally be found there.

2. Pitch Stumps – Pine stumps often consist of hardened sap, called Pitch or Fatlighter, which is highly flammable.  Any easy way to find the Pitchwood is to simply kick a stump.  Once the rotten wood falls away, the Pitchwood normally remains, as it is much stronger.  I like to make shavings from the Pitchwood to use as tinder.  Often it can be split into kindling as well. Once children start to look for these stumps as a game, they will start to notice them everyone, even when they are not looking for Pitch specifically.  *Of course, supervision is necessary if children are using cutting tools as part of the game.

3. Cedar Stumps – These are sought for ease of use.  Cedar is very easy to split into kindling, and long pieces work well for making shavings for tinder.

4. “Standing Dead” – The split wood of standing-but-dead trees is a great place to find dry firewood (assuming the top of the tree is not broken and hollow to allow water to seep in.)  This technique is more advanced, as a saw, ax, or large knife is often needed to split into the wood.  Again, fine shavings can be used for tinder, with long, thin pieces being used for kindling.

The ability to find firewood is a valuable skill, and the “games” listed above will help you and your children to hone the skill.  The warm fire at the end of the game is the best reward!

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.

By John A. Heatherly, Author of The Survival Template

photo by MSBarrows

Birch trees are both elegant and useful, especially in the Springtime, and can be utilized in the following ways:

1.  Treatment for Poison Ivy – With the arrival of warm weather, families are spending time outdoors, and poison ivy could be a problem.  Small twigs of birch can be boiled into a tea, cooled slightly, then applied to affected areas.  This little known treatment can work wonders when other medications fail!

2.  Tree taps – In the Spring, Birch trees can be tapped to procure liquid for drinking or to be boiled into delicious sap syrup.  After placing a small (approximately 1 inch) wooden peg or “tap” into the inner bark, sap can easily be gathered.  If trying this, please research the tap process a bit to ensure that you properly repair the tree when finished, as tapping can be harmful if done improperly.

3.  Fire-starter – Strips of birch bark are one of nature’s best tinders.  They are highly flammable and burn with a black smoke.  Caution: I do not recommend extracting birch bark from the decorative trees outside of restaurants for a fire-craft demonstration in the parking lot.  Once I dazzled my friends with the trick but no one else in the area seemed impressed.

4.  Tea – Mild tea can be made from a palmful of leaves (one palmful per cup of water) or a stronger tea from the boiled twigs (1-2 palmfuls of twigs per cup.)  The tea has a diuretic effect, and strong birch teas act as a sedative in times of stress (1/2 cup per day.)

5.  Edible inner-bark – The inner bark can be dried in the sun then ground into flour.

Have you used birch in these or other ways?

*Sources: Personal experience; Tom Brown’s Guide to Wild Edible and Medicinal Plans

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.

       By  John A. Heatherly, Author of The Survival Template

photo by DaLee_pl

Years ago, I was fortunate to be able to attend an Arctic Survival Course in Alaska. I was surprised to hear the instructor say that many Alaskans drive to work wearing polo shirts, lightweight pants, and casual shoes WITHOUT bringing a heavy coat or a change of clothes with them. They venture from their heated homes to climate-controlled office space. Most follow this routine with no problems, but a traffic accident or basic car trouble could cause serious problems for unprepared travelers in frigid temperatures. The lesson motivated me to consider what I SHOULD be carrying in the car. Every situation and trip is somewhat different, so below are some broad categories and examples that I like to use as a guide (these are not in order of importance or priority.)

-Communication and Signaling – cell phones, flares, etc …

-Personal Protection and Multi-use items – pepper spray, firearms, knives, flashlights

-Shelter – perhaps a sleeping bag, blanket, tarp or tent, depending on the type of trip – appropriate clothing, such as coats or heavy boots or walking shoes

-Water – bottled water, iodine, and/or a handheld purifier

-Fire – matches, metal match strikers, articificial tinder (hexamine, trioxane – some even carry firelogs)

-Food – large quantities of food are not necessary on ordinary trips, but could be for longer drives

-Navigation – GPS, paper maps, compass, smart phone

-Family Specific items – diapers, bottles, medicines, etc…

-Medical – band-aids, gauze, alcohol swabs, CPR mask, etc …

What items are part of your Every Day Carry and your Long-term Carry?

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.

       By  John A. Heatherly, Author of The Survival Template photo by aresauburnâ„¢

For centuries, willow bark has been used as treatment for a myriad of ailments.  The bark contains a chemical called salicin that  is similar to aspirin, although some studies have identified other compounds that have “antioxidant, fever reducing, antiseptic, and immune boosting properties.”*  Some show that willow can reduce pain and inflammation at much lower doses than aspirin.  It has been shown to help with headaches, low back pain, and osteoarthritis, and is also recommended for the treatment of menstrual cramps, fever, flu, bursitis, and tendonitis.

How should willow bark be used?  For adults, administer as a tea: “Boil 1 – 2 tsp of dried bark in 8 oz of water and simmer for 10 – 15 minutes; let steep for ½ hour; drink 3 – 4 cups daily.”*  Willow is not recommended for children under the age of 16 due to the dangers of Reye syndrome.

As with all treatments, there are some precautions.  For example: those who are allergic to salicylates should not use willow.  For more information and a thorough listing of usages, precautions, interactions, and depletions, please see The University of Maryland Medical Center website, listed below.

Does anyone use willow bark as a painkiller or in other ways?  Bonus Tip:  The wood harvested from willow trees works very well in building bow-drill fires, though that is a different topic altogether!

*http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/willow-bark-000281.htm

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.

by John A. Heatherly, Author of The Survival Template

Photo by Naomi Ibuki

Pine trees are beautiful and abundant, while they offer the following three valuable gifts:

Pine Needle Tea – green pine needles can make a tasty tea that will warm your family’s spirits on a cold day while providing much more Vitamin C than most citrus fruits.  To make the tea: simply clean a few handfuls of green pine needles; break them into pieces; simmer for 10 minutes or so; and let the tea steep for another few minutes.  Simple, nutritious, and flavorsome!

Edible Cambium – the light colored inner bark of pines is called the cambium layer.  It rests underneath outer bark and just above the harder interior of the tree.  Cambium can be harvested by cutting a square shape in the side of a tree (please don’t damage standing trees frivolously – this is a survival skill!) with a knife then peeling away the layers.  The cambium can be peeled or scraped into strips like bacon, then fried or roasted for consumption.

Nuts – Pine nuts can be harvested in the Fall and provide great taste and a lot of protein.  It is best to gather them using a ladder while wearing gloves (the cones that contain the seeds are sticky.)  Store the cones in a sack, and place the sack in the sun for a few days so that the cones will dry out and open up.  It helps to rotate the sack daily.  Cones can also be roasted by a fire or even in an oven.  Once dry they will open to reveal the nuts.

Does anyone have any special experience or alternative uses to offer that involve these delicacies?

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.

Someday I will have to sit down and write about my learning curve with all things technical.  It has got to be one of the steepest learning curves of all time.  RSS feeds mystified me for ages until I figured out that all RSS stands for is, “Really Simple Syndication.”  When you sign up for an RSS feed, you simply get a notice each time that website or blog is updated with new information.

I get daily updates for some of my favorite blogs like Adventures in Self-Reliance, SHTFplan, and Eat at Home.  At a glance I can see what’s new and whether or not I want to click through to read the entire post.  It’s that simple.  I can also subscribe to an RSS feed for a blog’s comments, which are sometimes just as entertaining as the blog posts!  Another nice feature is that you can view all your feeds on one page and then click at will.

You’re invited to sign up for my RSS feed, for just links to new posts, links to comments, or both.  I think you’ll like the convenience of seeing several blog headlines at a glance.  Just click on “RSS subscribe: posts, comments” beneath the picture of the Rifle Girl.  You’ll never miss another blog post or comment again!

© 2010 – 2012, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

I’m nearly as excited about introducing my “new” blog as I was to introduce the Paranoid Fiance to my parents some fifteen years ago!  I hope you like the look and will take time to browse through my resources, learn something new, and then tell others about it!

Remember to enter my SurvivalMom Prize Package Giveaway often!  Read about it here.

© 2009, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.