Outdoor Life Prepare for Anything Survival Manual (15 page)

You should know how to safely handle and care for your firearms. If you have a gun, be sure to invest in a way to take care of it and store it, and definitely know how to use it.

A basic gun-cleaning kit usually consists of a set of brushes, cloths, and solvents that are used to remove gunk that sticks to the interior of your gun’s barrel and other workings after use—copper fouling from bullet jackets, burnt propellant, etc. Over time, a buildup of these substances can make a firearm not only difficult to use but unsafe. Keep it clean and in working order and your gun will remain with you for years to come.

When not in use, your firearms should be placed somewhere safe and secured, and out of reach of others, especially children. Invest in a gun safe or, at least, a lock that obstructs the action, magazine, or trigger to keep it from being loaded and fired. Keep your gun unloaded and your ammunition stored separately when not in use.

Last, remember the basic tenets of safe gun handling: Always assume a gun is loaded. Always point the gun in the safest direction possible when not in use. Always be aware of what’s beyond your target. And always keep your finger off the trigger unless you are ready to fire. If you’re interested in additional training, there are various classes from gun basics up to self-defense and combat courses.

The following
This Could Happen To You
stories are based on real events and represent real-life scenarios that you should be prepared for.

I’d just gotten home from a hike.

Man, was I tired! Without even taking my boots off, I sat down to relax.

The robbers overpowered me and zip-tied my hands.

I remembered to flex my wrists so they couldn't tighten them down all the way.

I quickly tied a bowline at one end, and slipped it over the toe of my boot.

Then fed it through the zip ties, tied it to my other boot. . .

Suddenly I heard a noise.

Home invasion! They were through the door before I could even react.

They went to search the house, and I got busy. Good thing I always wear paracord as shoelaces!

. . . and it only took a few minutes of bicycling my legs before the cord ate right through the ties.

You’ve never seen a guy run so fast with only one boot laced!

The frontiersmen may have used the same knife to skin game, eat dinner, and shave—but that doesn’t mean it was a good idea. Here are eight basic knives that everyone should own, and why.

EVERYDAY CARRY
The classic pocket knife is often a folding knife, but it can just as easily be a fixed-blade knife. This is your go-to blade for most cutting jobs and the most likely tool that you’ll be keeping on your person (in your pocket). The newer-model folders can often have assisted-opening features such as spring assist and thumb studs on the blade’s spine to allow for one-handed opening. Select a folding knife that opens smoothly, without feeling loose or rattling. Stainless steel or high carbon steel blades can both be fine choices for an everyday carry knife.

BOWIE KNIFE
The Bowie-style knife, popularized by the Western hero Colonel James “Jim” Bowie, is the quintessential blade to use for hunting, fighting, and survival tasks.Modern incarnations abound; buy one that has a full tang (the blade metal extends all the way through the handle). Pick one that has some weight to it for chopping but isn’t so heavy that you don’t want to carry it. Many different steel types are (and have been) used for Bowies.

FILLET KNIFE
Skinning and butchering turn from a chore into a pleasure with a sharp fillet knife in your hand. You may have special ones for fish, fowl, and red meat—or you can just use one knife for all. Plastic handles are common to help facilitate cleaning the knives when the chores are done. Select a thin blade made from stainless steel for years of trusty service.

CHEF’S KNIFE
Cooking and food processing can get a lot easier if you add a chef’s knife to your chuck wagon. This versatile blade slices, dices, and preps food with the greatest of ease. Stainless steel is a great choice. Avoid high carbon steel for your chef’s knife, as this steel is prone to rust with such watery workloads.

TACTICAL KNIFE
This knife is all business, and that business is self-defense. These blades are often used as backup for firearms in military and law enforcement. They should be rugged and large like a Bowie. They should also be razor sharp, with a penetrating blade tip. The tanto style of blade tip is ideal for some serious “punch through” capability.

RESCUE KNIFE
Also known as an EMT knife, this versatile survival tool is commonly carried by various emergency services personnel, from firefighters to police to paramedics. It’s a folding knife with an edge that’s at least partly serrated, and bears two important accessories: a seat-belt cutter, and window breaker. A belt clip on the handle allows it to be carried within easy reach to use at a moment’s notice.

COMBAT KNIFE
As the name indicates, these blades are made primarily with hand-to-hand fighting in mind, with secondary use as a utility knife. A single-edged, high-carbon steel straight blade with a clip point allows the wielder to both thrust and slash. Other occasional innovations for utility include a serrated spine, or a hollow handle for survival gear storage. The models made famous by the United States Marine Corps (see above) are popular for their design and proven, field-tested effectiveness.

MULTITOOL
More than just a blade, the multitool got its start as the venerable Swiss Army knife, although the more robust Gerber-type tools are a modern stereotype. Its folding mechanism holds things like pliers, screwdrivers, saws, and at least one knife blade. While not as effective as a set of purpose-built tools, this is still a versatile mini-toolbox that fits right in the palm of your hand.