https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/ The New Canadian Preppers Network Discussion Board en-US Mon, 04 May 2026 13:39:03 +0000 wpForo 60 https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/survival-in-the-bush-1954-nfb-film/ Tue, 24 Nov 2020 21:35:24 +0000
https://www.nfb.ca/film/survival_in_the_bush/]]> Survive and Thrive Gallowshumour https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/survival-in-the-bush-1954-nfb-film/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/laundry-question/ Sat, 14 Mar 2020 12:04:04 +0000
I’m trying to find an old fashion washboard, but everything seems to be decorative in nature with limited usefulness, is itsy bitty tiny (“for baby clothes”) or is a super cool pedal operated gadget that costs a fortune.

Any brands you would recommend? Any store to purchase at?]]> Survive and Thrive helicopilot https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/laundry-question/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/atv-or-4wd/ Sun, 19 Jan 2020 10:17:07 +0000
I never had an atv radiator overheat due to mud or swamp debris but while out on atv runs with people, I have seen it occur about once a year. The guys will take a water bottle or six of them and put a tiny hole in the cap with their pocket knife “awl”

Then you squeeze the bottle and aim the tiny stream of water at muddy radiator to de clog it. Seen it work and help people keep going.

Something to keep in mind for a truck if ever needing to use some real rough muddy or swamp grass trails.

Another item people carry is a mini toy water gun. Just a simple hand piston pump they can use to squirt water at the rad]]> Survive and Thrive Anonymous https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/atv-or-4wd/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/survival/ Tue, 15 May 2018 08:15:30 +0000
You want to live and SURVIVE. The word itself is your plan of action:

S: Size up the situation.
Environment: Is it grassland, forest, jungle, or desert? Are potential sources of water apparent.
Your present condition: Take a moment to check yourself for injuries and provide first aid as necessary. At times like this when your adrenaline is high, you may not notice an injury that needs medical attention.
Things that you can use: Search the area and make a mental inventory.
Think things through. Don't waste resources

U: Undo haste makes waste
Chances are if you don't get organized, you may not survive. Keep busy and stay on task.

R: Remember where you are
If you have a map, find your location and relate it to the terrain around you. Attempt to identify areas that can provide potential shelter, sources of water, etc. If you don't have a map, be aware of where you are in relationship to the physical indicators around you. I can see a river to the south, a mountain to the north, a group of rocks and broken trees to the east. When possible note these and draw a map. This will be the centre of your world.

V: Vanquish Fear and Panic
Focus on what you need to do in order to survive. Try not to let fear and panic overwhelm you. Calm yourself down and think clearly. This will make a positive difference to your situation.

I: Improvise
Open your mind. Think outside the box. Items can be successfully used for a purpose completely different than they were designed. Look to what you have on you, wreckage and the natural world for useable items.

V: Value living
Remember who you are, your family and loved ones. They're waiting for you. Don't give up. Take one step at a time. Most of the people that don't survive, just stop trying to live. Know that it will be difficult but don't give in to discomfort, pain or loneliness.

A: Act like the Natives
Observe the actions of birds and animals. Watch what they eat, where they drink.

L: Learn basic skills
Hopefully you have learned what needs to be done and how you do it before you find yourself in this situation. If not, you can still learn from the actions you take. Learn by doing and remember how it was accomplished.

You will need to address the needs of Shelter, Water and Food. Remember the rule of threes. In most circumstances, the most important of these is Shelter.]]> Survive and Thrive Wayne https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/survival/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/ontario-and-quebec-ice-storm-this-past-weekend/ Tue, 17 Apr 2018 19:06:04 +0000
Have to admit, I almost wish that the power would go out for a solid five days in the cities. I say almost because I wouldn’t want to see sick or elderly to suffer but if it could only hit the na sayers, I would be happy. Give people a good dose of what could come and how ill prepared everyone is. Maybe just maybe people would focus on important things like infrastructure and stop pretending the gov will come to the rescue
I didn’t even have as much as a brown out.]]> Survive and Thrive Anonymous https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/ontario-and-quebec-ice-storm-this-past-weekend/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/five-unusual-fire-starting-methods/ Tue, 17 Apr 2018 05:38:35 +0000
How do we start a fire without a match? A spark immediately comes to mind, but here are five ways that are definitely off the beaten path:

1. Potassium permanganate (often employed in cleaning wounds and in home water treatment) and Glycerine (used to make soap and for ear infections and skin maladies). A few drops of glycerine onto potassium permanganate will cause an immediate flame.

2. Steel wool and a battery. A small charge will ignite steel wool into an excellent fire starter.

3. A Convex lens from: eyeglasses, magnifying glass, camera, binoculars placed toward the sun. You can even use a clear bottle (filled with water) or make a lens out of ice (all you need is to find a frozen stream or pond and cut a piece of clear ice out of it. With your knife, roughly shape the block of ice to make two opposite sides convex. Then use your hands to smooth the two convex sides, finishing the lens).

To start a fire, find the focal point of the lens (where the light comes together to the brightest part) by adjusting the distance between the lens and your tinder. When the point of light is the smallest, you have discovered the prime focal point..

4. A Convex surface such as a flashlight lens or soda can.

If you use a soda can, polish it first with chocolate (yes chocolate), toothpaste or powdered cleanser for about 1/2 hour. This doesn't focus the light as well as glass and takes longer to ignite.

5. Powdered Chlorine and Brake Fluid

Another combination that will ignite. Place a palm-full of the powder in your tinder and pour the break fluid (about 1/2 an ounce) on top. Works like magic...]]> Survive and Thrive Wayne https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/five-unusual-fire-starting-methods/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/bug-protein/ Wed, 04 Apr 2018 07:38:49 +0000
Regardless, Bugs remain a readily available source of protein during several month of the year. In a survival situation, this shouldn't be overlooked. They are a reasonably stable food source.

Grasshoppers / Crickets

Grasshoppers are quite popular in Mexico. To prepare them, clean them thoroughly and grill them with a little olive oil (or whatever you have available) a good alternative is animal fat, but I'm sure someone will say: 'If I have animal protein what am I doing eating bugs?' :-)

On the grill you can mix in a little lime or lemon juice, but any fruit juice will do (wild cranberry works well). There's something positive added to the taste (perhaps the reaction to the acid).

I've had them raw in a survival situation. However I'd recommend that you remove the legs first if you decide to eat them in this manner.

Maggots

Maggots are found in rotting animals in the wild. Although the animal is tainted and poisonous (the maggots are a good indicator that this is the case), the maggots can provide a nutritious meal.

They can be eaten raw (Maggot infested cheese is consumed in Italy), however this is not without risk. Try frying them. To me they taste like rice crispies with a bit of nutty taste.

Earthworms

Earthworms are a great source of protein. They are consumed in something like 80 countries, as a matter of course in what is accepted as a normal diet. They can be eaten raw or stir-fried and mixed with edible plants/flowers. I've ground them up and used them as a thickener in a stew made of squirrel/rabbit, roots and greens. I doubt that you will taste them at all, but will add much required protein to the meal.

The trick is to clean them well. I've found that pulling them through my two fingers (closed on the worm like scissors) seems to work well. I do this, let them soak in clear water for a half-hour and repeat. They're then ready for consumption.

Flies/Mosquitos

In the bush there always seems to be an ample amount of flies. This is especially so when Mayflies are hatching, as they're readily available by the thousands.

If you have collected enough, you can squish them together into circles (like meat balls), or make patties and make fly burgers. Cook them like you would hamburger. I've read that he protein content of a flyburger is comparable to one made of beef.

A mixture of flies and mosquitoes are consumed by a number of cultures. In the Congo region of Africa, it's considered to be a delicacy. Given however the virus transmission rate attributable to the mosquito, I don't intend on introducing them into my diet.

Bon Appetit!]]> Survive and Thrive Wayne https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/bug-protein/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/a-journey-within/ Tue, 27 Mar 2018 08:26:40 +0000
Not everyone has been faced with a life or death scenario. Especially one which is prolonged for days, or weeks. It can be difficult to prepare yourself for such an eventuality.

Training is available to instruct a person how to start a fire, identify water sources and construct a shelter without the usual trappings associated with doing so (match, canteen & tent). But what about mental attitude?

Some training organizations focus on this. One is Canadian Outward Bound.

Outward Bound was founded in Wales in 1941 to focus on training Mariners how to survive at sea. Over the years it has evolved and currently branches are active in 33 countries. I completed their mountain wilderness course in 1969 and the instructor course in 1970.

I taught at the Keremeos B.C. headquarters and as a mountaineering expedition leader on Vancouver Island (Strathcona Park). At the time, Judges sometimes offered young offenders a choice of going to jail or attending a 28 day Outward Bound Course. These became some of my students. After a few days of training, it wasn't uncommon to receive a request to leave as they preferred jail.

The Outward Bound experience is a journey within. What people come to really understand is that they are personally capable of much more than they preconceive their abilities to be. They learn to put their preconceptions (about themselves and others) aside and become aware of the importance of the group. I don't believe that anyone who has completed the training is ever the same afterwards. It changes people's lives. It changed mine.

Courses are offered in B.C., Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Expeditions are available to international destinations (such as Everest) for those interested. For more information contact Canadian Outward Bound: http://www.outwardbound.ca/]]> Survive and Thrive Wayne https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/a-journey-within/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/bush-survival-tips-staying-warm/ Mon, 12 Mar 2018 10:50:24 +0000
1. Stay Dry

Water conducts heat about 25 times faster than air at the same temperature. The best way to stay warm is to stay dry. Two ways of doing this are to avoid open areas of water that can be absorbed into clothing and avoid overexertion.

Body sweat is a natural process that cannot be avoided. It's important to regulate body temperature by letting it breathe. Dressing in several layers can assist the wearer with the addition/subtraction of layers as needed.

It's a good idea to attempt to keep yourself a little on the cooler side at rest. Don't put on layers until you're warm and comfortable. If you do, you will start to sweat and become overly warm with exertion. Water is absorbed in the innermost layer of clothing. Until it evaporates, you will become cooler than need be and at the same time, your water demand will increase. Water is one of the most important resources in a survival situation, so water management should include sweat management.

2. Increase/Decrease Loft as needed

Loft is considered to be the airspace that is contained between the outermost garment worn and the distance to the skin. As the loft is increased the airspace (barrier) is increased between you and the outside environment.

Many people have frozen to death (hypothermia) because they didn't have the correct clothing for the environment in-which they found themselves. Survival requires that you think outside of the box. Perhaps you'll find yourself needing an extra layer or two that you don't have. In this case, find something like small spruce boughs to stuff inside your clothing. This will increase the loft and you will be warmer.

3. Dry your Equipment

Air dry any clothing /equipment that gets damp. One area that often gets overlooked is the sleeping bag...

Down bags provide the best loft (and the most warmth per pound). Unfortunately their available warmth diminishes the longer its been worn. A wet down bag offers no warmth and in-fact reduces body heat. For this reason, synthetic bags are generally superior to down, given that synthetic fibers don't stick together when wet. A good synthetic bag will still offer warmth when wet.

Always use a sleeping bag liner. Cotton is a good choice because it will readily absorb moisture. It should be removed in the morning and dried. In cold weather, the moisture will turn into tiny ice crystals. If this is placed back into the bag, it will quickly turn into water with your body heat and continue to absorb more moisture.

After three or four nights, people I've guided often complain of the cold at night. The solution is to let the liner get cold, shake it out and beat it with a stick to dislodge the ice crystals if necessary.]]> Survive and Thrive Wayne https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/bush-survival-tips-staying-warm/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/im-buying-two/ Tue, 31 Jan 2017 18:39:09 +0000
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38795967]]> Survive and Thrive scrounger https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/survive-and-thrive/im-buying-two/