Does it work? Post general helpful camping/survival hints ONLY if you have personal experience with

... and NOT something you read out of a book or heard from someone.

Naturally everything is open to improvisation, but I'd like to keep the "I wonder if this would work" speculations out of it and use only what you know works.

I'll start off with a few.

Are flying insects a problem?

You need
1) one plastic bag, ziplock type.
2) one shiny penny
3) clear water

Place penny in the bag, fill it about 2/3 - 3/4 with water and seal.
Hang it in the sun where insects are a problem.

I have them hanging over the garage door. This will not keep all flying insects away, but will reduce them by >90%, in my experience. This works for wasps and houseflies. I don't know if it would work on mosquitoes. It would be worth a try though.

This seems to be pretty common in the US southwest. If I hadn't spent so much time there, I'd have never learned about it.

Like crawdads?

This works when there is a drop-off into deeper water at the bank.

Make a loop out of one wire clothes hanger.

Take a T-shirt, lay it over the loop leaving enough slack in the shirt to allow it to sag in the middle of the shirt when you add weight, and attach it to the loop with thread etc. This makes a sort of a dip net .

Attach thin cord to 3 or 4 equally spaced points on the loop. Knot cords together about 1 foot above the loop. this enables you to keep it all level as you are raising or lowering it into the water.

Attach 1 longer cord to the knot you made earlier. You use this to raise and lower the trap.

Place a small rock for weight, and chicken liver on top and lower it into the water.

Let it set for a period of time, smoke a cig and/or drink a beer. If there are crawdads in the area, you'll know by then. Raise it slowly

Mini Kit

I use a m16 mag pouch, with the dividers and grenade straps removed with a very sharp knife taking out the stitching.
You'd be surprised at what you can put in them, if you do it smart and take up all available space, including under the lid.
It's small enough to not get in the way. And it beats the altoids tin minikits. Anything beats them.

For ants, sprinkle Comet. Ants hate it and it's cheap. It also lasts a while even when it gets wet.

Also, for chiggers, use sulfur in your socks or rub mint (the plant) on your legs. Both of these repel these very irritating critters. Growing up in the SE US before bug spray was common this was a daily routine in the summer.

Lol, I keep thinking of things... I suppose everyone knows about bee stings... use a blob of wet (put it in your mouth to soak it) tobacco on the bee sting to bring out the stinger. It also helps with the pain.

very cool info, ill have to try the flying insect thing... Any idea what the penny actually does?

Also... Could you explain what is in your mini-bag? All i really noticed was 550 para cord

Originally posted by LHP666
... and NOT something you read out of a book or heard from someone.

Naturally everything is open to improvisation, but I'd like to keep the "I wonder if this would work" speculations out of it and use only what you know works.

I'll start off with a few.

Are flying insects a problem?

You need
1) one plastic bag, ziplock type.
2) one shiny penny
3) clear water

Place penny in the bag, fill it about 2/3 - 3/4 with water and seal.
Hang it in the sun where insects are a problem.

I have them hanging over the garage door. This will not keep all flying insects away, but will reduce them by >90%, in my experience. This works for wasps and houseflies. I don't know if it would work on mosquitoes. It would be worth a try though.

This seems to be pretty common in the US southwest. If I hadn't spent so much time there, I'd have never learned about it.

Like crawdads?

This works when there is a drop-off into deeper water at the bank.

Make a loop out of one wire clothes hanger.

Take a T-shirt, lay it over the loop leaving enough slack in the shirt to allow it to sag in the middle of the shirt when you add weight, and attach it to the loop with thread etc. This makes a sort of a dip net .

Attach thin cord to 3 or 4 equally spaced points on the loop. Knot cords together about 1 foot above the loop. this enables you to keep it all level as you are raising or lowering it into the water.

Attach 1 longer cord to the knot you made earlier. You use this to raise and lower the trap.

Place a small rock for weight, and chicken liver on top and lower it into the water.

Let it set for a period of time, smoke a cig and/or drink a beer. If there are crawdads in the area, you'll know by then. Raise it slowly

Mini Kit

I use a m16 mag pouch, with the dividers and grenade straps removed with a very sharp knife taking out the stitching.
You'd be surprised at what you can put in them, if you do it smart and take up all available space, including under the lid.
It's small enough to not get in the way. And it beats the altoids tin minikits. Anything beats them.

edit on 3-7-2011 by LHP666 because: (no reason given)

edit on 3-7-2011 by LHP666 because: (no reason given)

the first one the penny in a Ziploc works great for my buddies wife she says it keeps insects at bay for about a 6 foot radius i have seen the bags hanging and asked so that's as close as i can get to that one

the crayfish example works well too i have done that many times often though i use a fish head or carcass. in tight situations i have known crayfish to respond to a small swatch of red cloth too.

Not that its really a specific but over the years I have found it very helpful to just understand how things WORK. When the S does HTF yes we can all be prepared with preserves or survival equipment but at some point we must rebuild, to have a vast amount of general knowledge as the the way machinery and basic repairs can be done to keep out of date or dilapidated things working can mean life or death. With no co-op or home depot stores open this will be the experience that keeps people moving and possibly re-building.

Not to detract from the op but in my opinion I believe too many think SHTF scenarios involve people reverting to hunter gather's or caveman type lifestyles and not trying to rebuild or reuse what is already available.

The whole world will be a yard sale at that point.

Again it is good to have a bug out kit or fast action supplies as the op describes.

Here's something i do to avoid having to bring a cooler on camping trips:


Get a plastic bag, fill it with the things you want to keep cool. Place it in a river and weigh the bag down with rocks. I know it's obvious but this has saved me from drinking warm beer.

Make sure the bag is secure and don't over-fill it.

rubbing a fresh lemon on your clothing also helps to cut down on insects... uncut lemon that is...the oils inthe rind are pungent and bugs don't like it.

a bag or large pouch of ceder chips in your linen stores will keep most cloth eating insects at bay...change annually.

Originally posted by morder1
very cool info, ill have to try the flying insect thing... Any idea what the penny actually does?

Also... Could you explain what is in your mini-bag?

I can only guess about the penny. I really don't know and don't want to speculate.

The kit varies. In this example I had a stove with heat tabs inside, a lighter, bug repellent, bug net, paracord, contractor grade trashbag (I think it's 4 mil), fishing kit, water tabs, casualty blanket. It was just an example of what can be stuffed into a mag pouch, with room left over for coffee, pills, etc.

Originally posted by CaDreamer
rubbing a fresh lemon on your clothing also helps to cut down on insects... uncut lemon that is...the oils inthe rind are pungent and bugs don't like it.

Lemon seeds can be used for an antiseptic if you get a cut. Grind them up and apply.

Here is one that is probably obvious, but I had to learn the hard way a few times.
It involves those ridiculous Mylar emergency blankets.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you would actually have to use ne of those things, don't use it like it shows in the photo where you simply wrap it around you. Instead try making a poncho out of it by poking a hole for your head (careful because it tears very easy) then place it over your shirt and body. Then place your jacket over that. That worked a lot better for me when I was stuck out in the cold. Please bare in mind I am not advocating placing this sheet directly on skin. Place it over your shirt and under you jacket.

The previous time it didn't work was when I was on a comp out and my rucksack slid into a river soaking my sleeping bag. During the freezing night I thought I would be hard core and go with the baked potato look by simply wrapping myself. It did absolutely nothing, and I suffered until morning.

Anyway, this is common knowledge to most people, but for those who don't know....you're welcome

Originally posted by snowen20
Here is one that is probably obvious, but I had to learn the hard way a few times.
It involves those ridiculous Mylar emergency blankets.

I hate them.

Have you tried the thicker casualty blankets? they arent' as fragile, just slightly more bulky. Military surplus has them.

From time to time do a dry run and test your skills and equipment under real world conditions. Oh you have seen it in books and TV but have you really did it your self? The fire bow trick? I tried it once just for the fun of it and let me tell you it is not as easy as it looks.

reply to post by LHP666


No, I actually managed to get away with my Army bivouac cover to my sleeping bag after I ETSed. It is gortex so it keeps things dry and warm. I mentioned in another thread how my ruck sack did not meet up with where we were going to have field exercise and I was forced to sleep in that Bivy cover in 20 degree weather for a few nights. It was rough but not too bad.
I may buy one of those thicker blankets your talking about and use them for camp outs though, I don't have much need for them now that I am living in the tropics, here my gortex cover is king.

I work in food service, and when we do an outdoor venue, we just use the plastic bags filled about half way, and hang them with zip ties from the aluminum poles of the tents. It is common in the SW. The light refracting from the magnification of the water to image behind the bags messed with flying insects visual because of the eyes and multistructured lenses. It is so very effective, its amazing. So kudos for the previous input!

When its time to rotate my stored foodstuffs, if I have too many things I can use, I help out the college students in my area. I work in a college town with several part timers. One thing I remember as a student myself was times of being hungry and occasionally someone would help me out. So now its time to pay it forward.

The single serving drink mixes are a new addition to my pack. No more snack baggies of premeasured mix. No mess no residue to get on other items.

9 volt battery and 000 steelwool, and dryer lint, makes for an easy fire starter to get the kindling going. All items are compact and light weight. Always when arranging branches and limbs leave plenty of open spaces for air to flow under so there is oxygen to fuel the fire as well.

Always bathe or wash up all over as much as possible before turning in for the night, only in the warmer nights, you will sleep much cooler. On hot humid nights, after dinner chores are done, limit your overall activity to quiet respite, you will generate less body heat and not be trying to get to sleep all sweaty and wake up even more funky.

Speaking of which, baking soda and your finger makes for good toothpaste if you forgot to pack it. But don't forget to pack it. Toothpaste has been used for treating minor burns in our kitchen for years, that and yellow mustard. Smear a little and wrap with cellophane, till you can get to proper dressings. Ice immediately after a burn if you are an urban camper with coolers on hand. The objective is to get the heat from the damaged tissue as quickly as possible. The mint in the toothpaste works well, many a blister from a slipped ovenmitt has not occurred on this practice. One time I should have been completely scalded by a pan of chicken grease and dunked my whole arm into a cooler for a bit. Only under the ribbed cuff of the knit shirt was there any blistering. Don't ask why the sheet pan was up to my shoulder in height anyway.

One should take their time when doing chores. Deliberate and sure moves/steps can save ankles sprains and muscle strains. If you do get a sprain vinegar and light cloth or brown paper, wrap and elevate. Again to draw the heat from the injury site.

Homemade soap that generally has a lye content, or Fels naptha soap will dissolve poison ivy oils and keep it from spreading. Wash garments you were wearing during contact as well separate from other garments in Fel Naptha. Sure hate it when the jeans transfer to the undies!
Hope this helps!

Hunting

When hunting, I usually go by myself. But on the occasion when I hunt with someone, they have a tendency to move too fast.

Slow down.

The first thing I do when I enter a treeline etc is to stop and let things settle down. By QUIETLY walking into that setting, you have still upset the balance, the animals know that you are there, and you need time for that balance to be restored. Make no sounds, and just observe. Listen. Leave the day--to-day rush and hurry behind. You're in a new element now so you need to adjust yourself.

Pick a path. Pick one that leads where you want to go, and is not too cluttered with dry leaves, twigs, brambles etc. This helps keep the noise down.

Walk toe-heel, not heel-toe. Feel each step for twigs snapping under your feet before placing your full weight on that foot. If you feel or hear a snap, move your foot to the side and test that area. Do this slowly.

After each step or 2, observe your surroundings. Do this because your perspective always changes. This is especially helpful when hunting squirrels. They like to hide on the opposite side of a tree. If you're quiet then you can spot them if you move slowly and quietly to the right place.

If you find a fallen log, take a seat and observe and listen. Just check for snakes first.

Watch for movement, in the trees and ground. That is hard to do on windy days, so watch for more movement than what's in the surrounding areas. The eyes spot an animals movement much easier than they spot a very well camouflaged animal sitting still, even if you're close enough to step on it.

Always be looking around; up, down, to the sides, and behind. Move your head slowly. Do everything slowly.

If you are to the point where you occasionally surprise owls, and the screech dumps a lot adrenaline into your bloodstream, then you're doing it right. You'll also find out if you're prone to heart attacks.

Years ago, a Tiwa who lives at the Taos pueblo told me that tornadoes move from higher ground to lower, and follow the path of arroyos and river valleys. He jokingly said "always pitch your tipi between two arroyos (river valleys.) Better to walk a distance to water, than have a tornado walk through your camp on its way to water."

While I lived in tornado alley and was a rescue worker, I noticed that his observation seemed to be true. They generally move along the paths that water makes.

FWIW

Really useful tips, even for over here in the UK.
I'll go away and have a think and post something, hopefully, later

Rainbows
jane

Two tips from me, for now.
1 The less you have to carry, the less you HAVE to carry.
2 Learn (really learn) how to sharpen a knife. Not just keeping an edge, bur bringing one back after its been all but destroyed.

Originally posted by SprocketUK
Two tips from me, for now.
1 The less you have to carry, the less you HAVE to carry.
2 Learn (really learn) how to sharpen a knife. Not just keeping an edge, bur bringing one back after its been all but destroyed.

If that ain't the truth!

I remember my very first BOB. It was so heavy that I couldn't even put it on. It's amazing how light things add up when it comes to total weight. Plus, ammo is heavy! I wasn't preparing to survive but to go to war.

Now I can pack much lighter and mostly improvise on scene what I used to pack. Knowledge and skills weigh nothing.