The Reality of TV Survival

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Photos courtesy of Discovery Channel

Yup. You know it's bad when the least of your worries are the 30 flies on the tip of your dangly bit (aka man part). This was my reality as I stood before a stranger, naked and half a world away from home — 9,000 feet up on the edge of the Himalayan Mountains in India. This was survival at its core. The whole situation was set up for anyone, no less an avid survivalist, to fail. No food. No water. No clothing. No shelter. On foreign soil with nothing but one tool and the help of a person I'd never met before.

If you're wondering what I'm talking about and why a person would ever be in a situation like this, the simple answer would be that I was on the hit Discovery Channel show, Naked and Afraid.

As an avid outdoorsman and survival enthusiast, I naturally jumped at an opportunity to try out for this challenge. As a U.S. Army veteran and a modern-day ninja (no, really, I'm a ninjutsu black belt), it's a part of my growth plan to continually push myself to discover new aspects of my human potential. That's why I did the show — twice. Both experiences pushed me beyond previous limits and offered deep lessons in survival and self discovery.

In addition to the personal lessons, I learned much more about survival than ever before, mostly unaddressed in any book I'd read in any class I'd attended. For these reasons RECOIL OFFGRID asked me to give you the top four lessons I learned being on Naked and Afraid. Whether you're making plans to live completely off the grid or you're just a casual hiker who wants to prepare for worst-case scenarios, you'll no doubt find some valuable information below.

Lesson 1: Nothing Matters, But Life and Your Reasons for It

People ask me all the time how it was seeing my partner nude and if there was ever a time I stopped to check her out. The first point I make here is that I'm a married man so that was never going to be an issue. Then I'm quick to explain the reality of why, even if I wasn't married, this would never be an issue.

It goes back to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow explains that there are certain things a human needs before they are capable of thinking about procreation — and that includes the thoughts that precede it, such as lust. I learned about this in depth as a psychological-operations sergeant in the Army, as Maslow's concepts were a big part of our methodology. However, once I was naked in the wilderness with a person I'd never met, these concepts took on a whole new meaning.

It was around 2 p.m. in India when my partner and I met for the first time. We had six hours before nightfall, when it would become extremely cold. We had to move further up the mountain, find a far-off location, build a shelter, gather materials for a fire, and start that fire.

There was no time to think of anything other than what the heck I got myself into, how the heck to survive, and what skills my partner had. In each question, the root was all about staying alive. It's easy for a person watching to think of the sexual side of things, as they have all the basic comforts met (hence, why they're even watching television). But for us it was only about survival.

The Takeaway: If you ever find yourself in a survival scenario, you'll go through an overwhelming amount of emotions. However, also know that your body will eventually unify with your mind toward taking steps to get what it needs. You'll find that the only things that occupy your thoughts are what you need, how to get it, and why you need it. This is of some comfort to know when you're lost. However, it's also important to understand that without training and proven solutions for gaining the things you need to survive, you'll fall short and your natural, programed instincts may not be enough. So, start learning, prepping, and practicing now.

Lesson 2: Game Plans Are for Losers

When in a real survival situation, it's important to know that books can't help you, opinions don't matter, and the rules are flexible. There's no real strategy when dealing with nature, because natural laws are beyond logic.

I went into my first Naked and Afraid challenge with a whole lot of plans. I had a foolproof strategy that I practiced. On the first day I was going to make shoes and a fire. On the second I would make a shelter. On all days I would keep an eye out for a good water source, but on the second and third I would dedicate most of my time to finding it. This of course sounded good and tested well on my home turf where I was fully fed, mostly clothed and acclimated, but in a foreign land at an elevation I wasn't used to, nothing went as planned.

There was no preparation for how Mother Nature responded. With only hours to spare after meeting my partner, there was no time to make shoes. I could feel how cold it was getting, and we knew we would need a fire. Furthermore, I could see the clouds moving in and thought it might rain. Therefore my partner and I not only knew we needed water but also to keep dry and warm, so we needed a shelter.

Nature can destroy any survival plan. The author had to change his first goal of building a fire to building a shelter when he saw rain clouds approaching while on TV's Naked and Afraid.

Nature can destroy any survival plan. The author had to change his first goal of building a fire to building a shelter...

So let's recap: Six hours to do a major trek without shoes and clothes, collect firewood, collect shelter material, build a shelter, and then start a fire and keep it going through the dead of night so we didn't freeze — I never dreamed it would be like this. I hadn't adequately studied or trained for the situation we faced, and I had few people in my life who could've warned me. I was in the worst-of-the-worst scenarios. Needless to say shoes never came up in those first three days.

As a matter of fact, we stayed behind the curve and spent most days gathering firewood, improving our shelter, rehydrating, and looking for food.

Clothing and shoes seemed so unimportant when we had little physical and mental energy to allocate. We focused on the things that helped us stay alive, not the things that brought us extra comfort or ease. Again, this was a strategy born out of necessity, and the reality of the situation wasn't based on preformed strategies from others or principles existing outside of the there and then.

The Takeaway: Like a scientist or an engineer, you learn good principles and textbook knowledge in school, but when you go out into the real world, the principles act as guides not gospel. The actions you take often transcend book knowledge, relying only upon aspects of the principles for adaptive and creative problem solving. This is what you need to truly survive.

Lesson 3: Shoes Are Like Time Machines and Bare Feet Are Like Microscopes

The “Why didn't you make shoes?” question is one I hear a lot. I mostly covered why I didn't make shoes in Lesson 2, but just to make another point — shoes are awesome! Hear me clearly: If you can have shoes, have them. Shoes are truly like time machines.

What I mean by this is that everything happens faster when you have them. Because we grow up in a predominately footwear-oriented society, it's easy to take for granted how much they facilitate comfortable travel. In the wilderness, three minutes of movement with shoes is probably equal to 10 or 15 minutes without them. This is mostly due to pain, and secondly, due to the threat of pain from stepping on thorns or things that could bite you.

There are pros and cons to walking with and without shoes. The pros are that you travel faster and your feet are protected from bugs, reptiles, and the elements. This, of course, allows you to get more done in less time. On the contrary, because you can move so fast, it's easy to miss things. You tend to not move as carefully, making you more vulnerable to other potential injuries and also creating the potential to overlook important opportunities in your surroundings.

Shoeless Hakim Isler had to slow his movement to protect his feet; both a pro and a con in terms of survival.

Shoeless Hakim Isler had to slow his movement to protect his feet; both a pro and a con in terms of survival.

When you're barefoot, you have no choice but to slow down. Your movements are strategic and methodical. This is a time suck in a situation where you're fighting the clock; however, it's a potential gift when learning your landscape and how to survive in it. Your whole being becomes like a microscope, forcing you to survey the ground in your immediate vicinity as well as several feet ahead.

This, of course, helps with gathering and hunting. With every step, your feet connect you with the earth, giving you bio feedback that speaks to your primal side. That part could sound a little hokey, and, in truth, it's hard to understand, much less believe, until you experience it.

The Takeaway: The lesson here is, if you can help it, wear shoes, but slow down unless you have to hurry. Pretend your feet are bare and absorb your environment. You'll learn and see things you wouldn't otherwise.

Lesson 4: Dirty Is the Same as Clean in the Natural World

In my first few days in the Himalayan wilderness, I tried to stay clean. I understand the importance of hygiene in a survival situation. After several days of looking for food and living in wild with no real success, I had an epiphany. I realized that my partner and I were unnatural invaders in this natural landscape. Although we tried hard to blend with the environment, our own desires for cleanliness worked against us.

It was similar to a hobo coming into a pristine mansion and setting up in the living room, never showering and never cleaning up after himself. The level of disruption created would not be overlooked or accepted. This was what we were doing in the wilderness.

The chemicals in and on our bodies flooded the environment. The lack of subtlety in our movements rippled like mini earthquakes. Everything knew we were there. In the wilderness, dirty is clean and clean is dirty. We failed to understand this, and it made it hard to find real food. I found that, as time went on, there was a reawakening of my natural primal understanding. On the second week of the 21-day stint I found that these lessons reacquainted themselves with me.

The Takeaway: The average person understands this concept to some degree, as hunters use scent dampener and camouflage to hide their presence. The environment will do this for you naturally if you let it. The more time you spend outdoors, the more you'll find that your body will purge itself of the impurities in your system.

You'll then start to naturally take on the attributes of your environment. You'll no longer be an individual entity, absorbed by the landscape. Your natural inclination will be to fight it, but this will only waste time and energy and, in the long run, hinder your ability to get what you need to survive. I'm not saying not to clean your teeth or wash yourself at all — just don't obsess over it like we do in our regular lives.

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Conclusion

At the outset of this story, you were probably thinking, What could be worse than having a bunch of flies on your frank and beans? Armchair survivalists might have watched some TV shows or read a book and thought they could critique the performance of a person half a world away on how to survive when they were at the lowest level of Maslow's Hierarchy. Hopefully with just these few lessons, they'll learn that there's more to survival than regurgitating textbook solutions.

There's the will of nature, the will of a beast, and the discovery that you don't know sh*t. However, with humble acceptance, trained knowledge, flexibility, and strong determination, you can survive even the worst of conditions.

About the Author

A former psychological-operations sergeant with the U.S. Army, Hakim Isler is the designer of several wilderness survival products and the owner of Elevo Dynamics, the first “Dojym” (a 24-hour gym and martial-arts facility) in the United States. He is also the founder of the SOIL Foundation, a nonprofit that offers off-grid training and excursions to help veterans, law enforcement, and civilians recover from anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Additionally, Isler is a fourth-degree black belt in To-Shin Do under Stephen K. Hayes, an instructor in the Filipino combat system of FCS Kali, and the author of Modern Hand to Hand Combat.

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www.TheSoilFoundation.org
www.BlackMacGyver.com
www.ElevoDynamics.com

Naked and Afraid airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. EST on the Discovery Channel. www.discovery.com

Buyer’s Guide: Dehydrated Sweet Snack Foods

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Freeze-dried food isn’t just for astronauts these days. There are a variety of commercially-available dehydrated survival food choices, ranging from grab-and-go snack pouches to huge buckets for long-term disaster prep. Flavors are equally varied, with a smorgasbord for every palate. We selected six of the leading dehydrated food producers on the market, and requested two entrée flavors from each. The full reviews of these 12 entrées can be found in the upcoming Issue 19 of our print magazine. This issue goes on sale 3/31/17, and will be available on newsstands, as part of a home-delivery subscription, or in a variety of digital formats — click here for more info on RECOIL OFFGRID magazine.

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Three of our staff writers reviewed these twelve savory entrees in Issue 19.

Sweet Treats

During our interactions with these six dehydrated food companies, we started thinking: a hot meal is good on its own, but following the meal with a tasty dessert can make the experience even better. That may just be the voice of my repressed inner fat kid talking, but he has a point. So, we also requested one sweet treat from each of the six companies.

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Each of these six items can be eaten after meals as a dessert, in between meals as a quick energy boost, or in some cases as a standalone meal. The common thread between these dishes is an emphasis on sweet flavor, as opposed to the savory entrées in our magazine's guide. You won't find these reviews anywhere else — they're exclusive to OFFGRIDweb.com.

While three members of our staff tested the entrées, I tried out these sweet snack items on my own. Read on for my impressions of each, and to see which flavors appeased my sweet tooth.

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Note: Don't let the seemingly high cost per ounce immediately deter you from some of these items. Dairy products, fruits, and vegetables have high water content, and freeze-drying removes virtually all of this water, resulting in a very lightweight yet surprisingly filling product. In these cases, calorie content is more relevant to value than weight.

AlpineAire Toffee Break

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Package Size / Servings Per Package: 6 ounces / 3
Calories Per Serving: 340
Approximate Shelf Life: 2 years
Prep Method / Prep Time: Ready to eat / None
MSRP / Cost Per Ounce: $5.95 / $0.99
URL: AlpineAire.com

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Notes: Toffee Break is a trail-mix-style snack, with peanuts, pecans, cashews, almonds, butter toffee, dark chocolate, caramel, and peanut butter. The sample pictured here is from an early production run, so it's a plain foil bag with a basic label rather than the colorful packaging that will be offered in retail stores. However, the listed ingredients are identical to the retail version, and the contents should taste exactly the same.

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Review: Peanut butter and chocolate are a match made in heaven. If you disagree, I don't think we can be friends. Seriously though, this Toffee Break mix is one of my new favorite things. Four types of nuts are blended with butter toffee, caramel, peanut butter, and dark chocolate. It's crunchy, rich, and provides a nice balance of salty and sweet. The only downside is just how rich it is — one 6-ounce package contains a whopping 1,020 calories, 84 percent of your daily fat, 90 percent of your daily saturated fat, and 63 grams of sugar. Sixty. Three. Grams. That's nearly as much sugar as two full 12-ounce cans of Coke. Considering how delicious this stuff is, it would be relatively easy to down this entire pouch in a sitting if you're hungry. So, as long as you can show restraint and consume small quantities (or run a half marathon afterwards), Toffee Break is an excellent choice for calorie-dense energy-rich snacking. I'm craving more of it already.

Backpacker's Pantry Mango Sticky Rice

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Package Size / Servings Per Package: 6 ounces / 2
Calories Per Serving: 340
Approximate Shelf Life: 7 years
Prep Method / Prep Time: Add boiling water to package / 15-20 minutes
MSRP / Cost Per Ounce: $6.50 / $1.08
URL: BackpackersPantry.com

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Notes: A sweet Thai-inspired recipe with white rice, mango, coconut milk, and black sesame seeds. Backpacker's Pantry says it “makes a fantastic breakfast or dessert”, and also notes that it's vegan (if that's something you care about).

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Review: Compared to the cavity- and grin-inducing sweetness of the Toffee Break mix I just sampled, this rice dish is much more nuanced. It's certainly sweet, but not in an overpowering way — considering the reasonable 20 grams of sugar in the entire package, I expected as much. The vibrant yellow rice and black sesame seeds look appetizing, and create a mild flavor with a slight tang of mango. Speaking of the mango, small chunks are present among the grains of rice, but they're a bit soft in a melt-in-your-mouth sort of way. Not bad, but a little more freshness and acidity would've really made this a home run. As it stands, this could work as a standalone meal or a sweet snack after your entree. I'd say it'd actually be a great complement for the Kung Pao Chicken found in our magazine article.

Emergency Essentials Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

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Package Size / Servings Per Package: 14 ounces / 16
Calories Per Serving: 160
Approximate Shelf Life: 25 years
Prep Method / Prep Time: Ready to eat / None
MSRP / Cost Per Ounce: $33.99 / $2.43
URL: BePrepared.com

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Notes: This large can contains 16 individually-wrapped freeze-dried ice cream slices. Simple mint ice cream, speckled with chocolate chips. It looks like Emergency Essentials may be phasing out this flavor (at least temporarily), since it went on sale for 50 percent off MSRP shortly after we received our samples, and is now listed as “sold out”.

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Review: Most people know this as astronaut ice cream — it's light and airy like a hard marshmallow, and melts in your mouth to produce a surprisingly accurate ice cream flavor. It's sweet and somewhat creamy, although it lacks the refreshing cold element that's a big part of the ice cream experience. As long as you're not expecting brain freeze, it's pretty great. I did note that this tends to make quite a mess as you eat, since most of the individual bricks of ice cream were already partially cracked or broken up in transit, and all packages contained chalky dust and fragments that seem to get everywhere. Biting into the ice cream also causes it to crumble. But if you're eating outdoors and aren't worried about attracting critters, that's no big deal.

Good To-Go Blueberry Almond Granola

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Package Size / Servings Per Package: 4.8 ounces / 1
Calories Per Serving: 580
Approximate Shelf Life: 1 year
Prep Method / Prep Time: Add cold or hot water to package, stir and eat / None
MSRP / Cost Per Ounce: $6.50 / $1.35
URL: GoodTo-Go.com

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Notes: In keeping with Good To-Go's gluten-free and healthy take on backpacking food, this granola uses gluten-free whole grain oats. There's also dried figs, dried blueberries, almonds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds, pecans, maple syrup, honey, and whole milk powder.

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Review: Here's another one for those who aren't looking to call the dentist immediately after eating. Although the ingredients say it's acceptable to prepare it with cold water, I opted for hot water, and soon dug in to the warm, hearty granola. This is real stick-to-your-ribs food with 580 calories, a heavy dose of carbs, and 17 grams of protein. The oats, almonds, and various seeds give this granola body, and are balanced out by hints of cream and dried fruit. Additional sweetness comes from natural honey and maple syrup, but it's relatively subtle. This would make a fantastic quick breakfast, especially considering it doesn't require additional prep time. Boil water for your tea or coffee, add a splash to the pouch, and you're all set for the morning. I wouldn't consider this sweet enough to be eaten for dessert, but it'll give you a welcome burst of energy in the early AM.

Mountain House Raspberry Crumble

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Package Size / Servings Per Package: 5.15 ounces / 4
Calories Per Serving: 140
Approximate Shelf Life: 30 years
Prep Method / Prep Time: Add boiling water to package / 5 minutes
MSRP / Cost Per Ounce: $8.99 / $1.75
URL: MountainHouse.com

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Notes: Raspberry sauce with chocolate cookie crumbs. Contains freeze-dried raspberries, nonfat milk powder, and crushed chocolate cookie powder. This dish is prepared with boiling water, but can be served hot or cold.

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Review: After combining hot water and the raspberry mix and waiting the allotted time, I was greeted with a syrupy sauce that resembles the filling of a pie or tart. On its own, it has a tangy acidity and strong sweetness, almost like a thin raspberry jam. The included cookie crumble pouch contains dark brown powder that's obviously inspired by crushed Oreos, minus the cream filling. Sprinkling the crumble onto the raspberry mix creates a flavor similar to eating raspberry pie with Oreo cookie crust, although the filling texture is on the watery side. The crumble adds a nice element of crunch, but the overall dish is a little sweeter than I'd like. This says it serves four, but is probably closer to two servings in the real world.

Wise Company Sliced Peaches

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Package Size / Servings Per Package: 1.6 ounces / 4
Calories Per Serving: 35
Approximate Shelf Life: 3 years
Prep Method / Prep Time: Ready to eat / None
MSRP / Cost Per Ounce: $29.99 (6-pack) / $3.12
URL: WiseFoodStorage.com

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Notes: The ingredients in each pouch are as simple as it gets: peaches and a little added sugar. These pouches are sold exclusively in 6-packs, with each pouch containing 210 calories of fruit. The pouches pictured here use the standard Wise Company branding, but the packaging has recently changed to fall under Wise Company's Simple Kitchen brand.

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Review: Much like the ice cream I ate earlier, freeze-drying these peaches has reduced weight to virtually nothing. Unlike the ice cream, these are less crumbly and more crunchy, like a lighter version of the dehydrated banana chips you can find at most grocery stores. Flavor is sweet like candy, and immediately put a smile on my face. My mouth felt a bit dry after eating a few, and I also noticed that remnants were sticking between my teeth like glue, but I still thoroughly enjoyed these. Sometimes you don't need a lot of complex ingredients for a tasty snack. If you had been subsisting on beans and rice during an emergency, these would provide an incredible burst of flavor and texture.

Bonus: Mountain House Cheesecake Bites

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Package Size / Servings Per Package: 1.94 ounces / 1
Calories Per Serving: 240
Approximate Shelf Life: 2 years
Prep Method / Prep Time: Ready to eat / None
MSRP / Cost Per Ounce: $3.99 / $2.06
URL: MountainHouse.com

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Notes: Shelf-stable freeze-dried cubes of New-York-style cheesecake coated in graham cracker crumbs and brown sugar. Hints of butter, lemon, and vanilla are also present. Sold in single-serving packages.

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Review: We didn't request these, but Mountain House kindly threw in a package with the rest of our order, so I'll include my impressions here. These are an easy snack to eat — just tear open the pack, pour a few cubes onto your palm, and chow down. The texture of the cheesecake bites is firm yet crisp on the first bite, but it leaves a slight chalky sensation in the mouth. Flavor is very good, with a strong presence of cream cheese and brown sugar. The graham cracker dust is a tasty element, but it doesn't provide much texture in powdered form. There was also an excess of graham cracker dust compared to the amount of cheesecake bites in the pouch. Portability is high considering the small package and light weight. I'd eat these again.

For our reviews of the twelve dehydrated entrées mentioned at the beginning of this article, pick up a copy of RECOIL OFFGRID Issue 19, on newsstands 3/31/17. Bon appétit!

Mora Robust “Indestructible” Knife Test

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If you spend a few minutes on the internet searching for survival knives, the name Mora is guaranteed to come up. This Swedish company has been making simple and tough fixed-blade knives since 1891, and still holds a reputation for bulletproof durability. Many bushcraft enthusiasts swear by their Moras, and they're a great choice for those with limited budgets — quite a few of the company's knives are priced under $20.

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Dutch Bushcraft Knives tested a $15 Mora Robust to see how “robust” it really is.

However, we often hear questions or criticisms about one feature of Mora knives: the partial tang. With few exceptions, Mora knives include what's called a partial or stick tang, meaning that the steel only extends partway through the handle. Full-tang knives are generally considered stronger and more durable, since the steel extends through the entirety of the handle in a single solid piece from tip to butt. Then again, this added steel also inevitably increases cost and weight.

So, how much abuse can a supposedly-inferior partial tang take? Will the handle crack or snap off under heavy use? YouTube channel Dutch Bushcraft Knives set out to determine this, and picked up a Mora Robust to put to the test. This carbon steel blade is said to be extra-thick and bonded to a shock-resistant handle — but how strong can it really be for $15? See for yourself:

First of all, don't try the above at home. And definitely don't try it without adequate eye protection, as these guys did in parts of the video.

Here's the edge after the DBK guys finished testing it. Ouch.

Here's the edge after the DBK guys finished testing it. Ouch.

While no one in their right mind would use a sharp knife to chop through steel wire and baton bricks under normal circumstances, these extreme tests show that the Mora Robust is in fact pretty robust. Obviously the edge was annihilated and had to be re-ground afterwards, but that would be true for any blade under the circumstances — even a solid ax blade will chip when pounded against a hard object. We'd say the plucky little Mora held up pretty well, especially for a knife in this price range.

Video: Fire-Starting with a Firearm?

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Learning survival skills requires patience, basic tools, and a good teacher or source of guidance. But most of all, it requires practice. Without this fundamental element, you might try a “survival pro tip” you read somewhere, only to find that it's not working well in your situation. Worse yet, you might find that it's completely useless. Either way, you'll waste valuable time and resources, and you might even end up endangering yourself in a real life-and-death scenario.

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Fire isn't easy to generate from scratch. You'll want to prepare multiple methods of producing it reliably.

Even some of the best sources of survival information can make mistakes or omit valuable information, and if you failed to practice the techniques on your own, you won't know until it's too late. Take, for example, the SAS Survival Guide by John “Lofty” Wiseman. It's an excellent source of information, and packed with helpful tips and suggestions for urban and wilderness survival. It was also our Top Pick out of the 8 pocket survival books we reviewed in Issue 15 of our print magazine. However, one fire-starting technique found within the book can be misleading.

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Here's a quote about fire-starting directly from the SAS Survival Guide, on page 179: “Powder from ammunition: break open a round and pour gunpowder on tinder and use flint. Or leave half the powder in the cartridge case and stuff piece of cloth in. Chamber the round and fire into the ground. The smouldering cloth will be ejected. Place on tinder to ignite.”

The first part about starting fire with a bullet is reasonable enough, and it can work under the right conditions. Then again, if you already have flint and steel or a ferro rod, do you really need to disassemble a valuable round that could be used for hunting or self-defense? At that point, harvesting the gunpowder would probably take longer than finding some dry tinder, assuming your location isn't devoid of resources. The second part of this excerpt discusses fire-starting directly with a firearm, and may be much more difficult than it sounds.

YouTuber Survival Russia attempts to replicate the SAS Survival Manual fire-starting method.

Is it really as easy as disassembling a cartridge, shoving in some cloth, and blasting it into the ground to produce an ember? The diagram in the SAS Survival Manual appears to show a cross-section of a shotgun shell stuffed with cloth and gunpowder, so the host of YouTube channel Survival Russia decided to experiment with this method. Check out his results:

As you can see, it's not so easy, and it's almost guaranteed to consume more than one round of ammunition. Remove the bullet with pliers, pour out half the gunpowder, scavenge a wad of dry cloth, shove into the bullet, chamber the round, fire, and pray it works. If it doesn't, rinse and repeat until you've got fire or you're out of ammo. Sounds like a recipe for frustration.

Les Stroud of Survivorman also attempted this technique with a hunting rifle during one episode:

Even for such an experienced survivalist, it took five failed attempts to make this technique work. That's an 80% failure rate in the hands of a pro. So, while the fire-starting with a firearm technique appears to be possible, it's undoubtedly VERY difficult.

Regardless, the moral of the story is that you wouldn't want to attempt this for the first time in an emergency. Practice a variety of survival skills. Learn which ones work for you, and which ones aren't even worth a shot.

New: First Tactical Krait Folding Knife

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Mike Vellekamp has worked in the knife industry for more than 22 years, acting as a designer for Blade-Tech, 5.11 Tactical, and Fox Knives USA. His latest partnership is with First Tactical, and the result is a slick-looking folder called the Krait.

First Tactical Krait folding knife blade steel 2

The First Tactical Krait features a 3.51-inch spear-point blade formed from D2 steel. D2 is a high-carbon tool steel with excellent edge retention and added chromium for corrosion-resistance. First Tactical says it's the strongest steel available on any of their current knives. Like all First Tactical folders, it also includes the distinct Thumb Bridge, which provides leverage for pushing open the blade and making precise cuts.

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The D2 blade is sculpted into a complex curve, convex at the front and concave along the belly. It's paired with a liner lock mechanism and G10 handle scales, which are available in either black, coyote tan, or OD green.

There's also a turned pocket clip for deep carry, and it can be reversed for left-handed use. The knife weighs 4.57 ounces, has an open length of 8.25 inches, and a closed length of 4.74 inches.

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The new First Tactical Krait knife is available now at an MSRP of $60. For more information, go to FirstTactical.com or follow First Tactical on Facebook.

Infographic: Great Depression Era Tactics for Saving Money

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As survival-minded individuals, we have much to learn from the Great Depression. The individuals who managed to persevere through this period of extreme economic hardship did so by adapting and overcoming adversity. As the unemployment rate skyrocketed and household income fell, many families faced homelessness, struggling to put food on the table or shoes on their children's feet. This led to numerous fundamental changes in behavior. Getting by with what you had was of the utmost importance, hence the often-repeated phrase: use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.

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Poverty in the depression often meant living in dirt-floored shacks. Photo: Dorothea Lange / U.S. Library of Congress

My own grandfather lived through the Depression as a young boy, and it had a dramatic impact on him. Throughout my childhood, he would save anything which could be reused or repurposed. Some might consider this “pack rat” behavior, but to him, it was just the right thing to do. He kept a stack of rubber bands around the shifter of his car, categorized and stored every rusty nut and bolt in the garage, and even wrapped up and saved chewing gum to chew again later. When we went to restaurants, he'd clean the scraps off every plate at the table, including the edible garnish — incorporating raw kale into his diet before it was trendy.

These lessons are still relevant today, and will only become more important in a large-scale disaster scenario. The following infographic shows nine Great-Depression-era behaviors, and suggests some takeaway lessons associated with each. If you put these skills into practice during times of prosperity, they'll be second nature by the time a crisis arrives. (Click here for a full-size version of this infographic.)

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More in Fiscal Security, Survival, and Preparation

Sara Liberte: Building the Battle Van

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According to Chris Farley's character in a series of old Saturday Night Live sketches, nobody wants to end up living in a van down by the river. In reality, van-dwelling doesn't have to be a miserable experience — with the right mindset, a spacious vehicle, and a bit of preparation, this nomadic lifestyle can actually be a lot of fun. Case in point: traveling photographer and videographer Sara Liberte (pronounced Liberty — yes, that's her real last name).

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A photo of Sara at the range, taken by Marjorie M. White.

Sara has spent the last few years on the road, traveling throughout the United States in her previous vehicle, which she dubbed the Dodge Mahal. That old Dodge van served her well, but the time has come to put it out to pasture and upgrade to something newer. So, Sara bought a 2017 GMC Savana cargo van, and she plans to gradually upgrade it into a proper all-terrain home on wheels. For now, the project is being referred to as the Battle Van.

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The Battle Van build will be documented by Sara through periodic updates on her YouTube channel. We'll be following the build here on OFFGRIDweb, so stay tuned for more as the build progresses. Our friends over at RECOIL and Breach-Bang-Clear will also be helping out. Currently, Sara has the following companies on board to provide parts:

Sara's plans also include off-road capable wheels and tires, LED lighting, and possibly even a 4×4 conversion for easier access to remote photoshoot locations. Should the van get stuck, there will be survival gear such as a backup generator, water purifier, and long-range communications equipment. We're excited to see how it plays out, and watch the transformation of this plain GMC into a unique bug-out van and home on wheels.

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For more information on Sara Liberte, visit SaraLiberte.com, follow her on Facebook, or check out this article on Breach-Bang-Clear.

Review: 5.11 Tactical Defender Flex Jeans & Pants

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You've likely heard the old saying that clothes make the man. While that's clearly an oversimplification, it's certainly true that your clothing speaks volumes, and it's often one of the first things strangers will notice about you. Imagine waltzing into a biker-filled dive bar wearing a tuxedo and a gold Rolex, or trying to get a table at the Ritz Carlton in Paris while wearing an oil-stained Budweiser T-shirt, cut-off shorts, and flip-flops. In either case, you're virtually guaranteed to become the center of attention, whether you want to or not.

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The point we're making is not about the importance of looking hip so others notice how fashion-conscious you are. It's about the importance of remaining aware of how others perceive you based on your clothing. This is one of the core principles of the “gray man” philosophy. If your clothing appears similar to that worn by those around you, and your actions aren't conspicuous, passersby won't give you a second glance. In everyday life, this can be convenient, but in an emergency scenario, it can dramatically increase your chances of remaining unnoticed and safe.

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However, there's a need for compromise here. Military and tactical apparel often offers many advantages over run-of-the-mill garments — extra storage pockets for your EDC gear, concealed-carry enhancements, breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics, extreme durability, high-tech lightweight insulation, and so on. The question becomes, how can I retain the capabilities I need without broadcasting my preparedness to the world? When too much emphasis is put on blending in, you may limit yourself to inferior gear; when too little emphasis is placed on this discretion, you may end up painting a target on your own back.

Blue Jeans & Blending In

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Blue jeans are about as universal as clothing gets. With a nice pair of shoes and a blazer, jeans can appear upscale and sophisticated. With some old sneakers and a hooded sweatshirt, they'll give off a casual blue-collar vibe. They won't look out of place on a remote hiking trail, a construction site, or a bustling city street. You might say they're the ultimate gray man apparel.

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Unfortunately, there are some downsides to traditional jeans. The denim fabric is essentially just densely-woven cotton, and that's not a recipe for a flexible material. It doesn't have much stretch or give, so it can feel restrictive during strenuous physical activity. Also, most jeans have five pockets — two on the front, two in back, and a small change pocket on the right side. The last pocket is usually so shallow that it's not useful for carrying much more than a lighter or tube of lip balm.

5.11 Defender-Flex Jeans & Pants

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5.11 Tactical recently announced the release of a new line of pants known as Defender-Flex. This line includes Dark Wash Indigo (pictured) and regular Indigo denim blue jeans, as well as twill fabric pants in a variety of colors. The Defender-Flex jeans and pants will be available in slim-fit or straight-fit, and there will also be a women's version.

All variants will retail for $70, but at the time of writing this article, these items are not yet listed for sale on 5.11's web site. The company says the Defender-Flex line will be available to the public starting in Spring 2017. We're told the colors seen here will be the first styles available, while other pant colors and women's versions will be coming later.

Up to this point, everything sounds pretty run-of-the-mill, but there's more to these jeans than meets the eye — and that's exactly the goal.

Admittedly, these aren't the first “tactical jeans” to ever hit the market; a few other companies have produced their own variants in the past. However, the 5.11 Defender-Flex line resembles ordinary jeans more than some we've seen, and it's also available at a substantially lower price point than others. As for design, comfort, and real-world functionality, read on for more details and our testing impressions.

Flexible Fabric

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The biggest technical difference between the Defender-Flex series and your dad's old Levi's or Wranglers is the fabric. The Defender-Flex jeans are composed of Lycra T400 Tough Max, a cotton/polyester-blend fabric. The manufacturer claims Tough Max fabric is twice as strong as regular 100% cotton denim. It's also said to have higher tear and tensile strength than cotton, as well as high abrasion resistance. The label lists the composition as 76% cotton and 24% polyester.

Defender-Flex pants use a slightly different fabric than the jeans, resulting in a smoother finish and slightly more stretch. The label on the pants lists composition as 66% cotton, 31% polyester, and 3% elastane (also called Spandex or Lycra). Aside from this fabric and different color options, the jeans and pants are identical.

In addition to this modern fabric, 5.11 Tactical added extra-thick hems and stitching to further reinforce key wear areas, such as the button closure and edges of the front pockets. There are 8 belt loops, three on each side and a pair at the rear. These loops are slightly thinner and more pliable fabric than those found on Levi's, but at 3/4-inch wide they're about 30% wider than the Levi's loops. Tough brass rivets emblazoned with “5.11” text and a brass button with the 5.11 logo serve as subtle finishing touches.

Seven Pockets

The other distinctive characteristic of the 5.11 Defender-Flex is its pockets. Each pair offers a total of 7 pockets. We'll list them below along with the pocket dimensions, and how they compare to the pocket dimensions on a pair of Levi's 505 jeans.

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  • Two front pockets — 5″ wide by 6.5″ deep — 0.5″ shallower than Levi's
  • Right side coin pocket — 3.25″ wide by 4.75″ deep — 1.5″ deeper than Levi's
  • Two back pockets — 4.5″ wide by 6″ deep — 1.5″ narrower than Levi's
  • Two side mag pockets — 4″ wide by 5.25″ deep — N/A (not present on Levi's)

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Above: The extra-deep “coin pocket” can fit a variety of surprisingly large items, such as a hefty Zero Tolerance folding knife (4.9 inches long when closed), a Leatherman Wingman multi-tool, a deck of playing cards, or an Altoids tin. Calling it just a coin pocket would be short-changing it, if you'll forgive the pun.

The rear pocket size is pretty much what you'll find on other pairs of jeans, but its proximity to the side mag pockets is convenient. You could use them for the recommended purpose of holding rifle magazines at the range, or drop in a USB battery pack to charge your smartphone on the move. Unlike other jeans, you won't have to rely heavily on your front pockets for EDC items.

Above: Rather than carrying a separate blow-out kit, the mag pockets could easily fit a tourniquet, hemostatic gauze, and Israeli bandage for emergency medical care.

Now you're up to speed on the technical specs, materials, and dimensions of the Defender-Flex jeans, but the most important part of our review is yet to come. How do they work in the real world?

Our Thoughts: Defender-Flex Review

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We received and tested three items from the new Defender-Flex series: a pair of straight-fit Dark Wash Indigo jeans, and two pairs of straight-fit Defender-Flex pants (Stone khaki and Burnt brown). As mentioned earlier, the jeans have a softer feel and slightly less stretch than the pants, due to higher cotton content. When exposed to moisture, the synthetic-heavy pants seem to dry out faster than the jeans, as you might expect. However, the differences between the pants and jeans are pretty much negligible.

Above: We used a 1.5-inch 5.11 Apex T-Rail belt with these jeans. Most belts up to 2 inches wide should fit.

As we wore these around town, at home, and in the office, we found them exceptionally comfortable. The small amount of give and flex in the fabric means you don't feel the tension 100% cotton exhibits as you bend down or kneel. It's a subtle difference, especially in the jeans, but it's noticeable. They're also nicely breathable and lightweight, which is helpful for those who live in warmer regions.

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Regarding the construction, we didn't find any major flaws, but there are a few things we'd like to see improved:

  • Thick pocket seams are nice for durability, but they're barely too thick to slide smoothly under the pocket clips on some of our EDC gear. (This may improve as the fabric breaks in.)
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  • While wide and securely stitched, the belt loop fabric doesn't feel quite as thick and sturdy as we'd like.
  • The zipper is noticeably smaller than that found on a pair of Levi's. This isn't entirely confidence-inspiring, but it's too early to say how well it'll hold up in the long run.
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The clip on this Streamlight ProTac 2L snagged on the thicker front pocket seams, but slid easily into the coin...

As for the pockets, we found ourselves wondering, why the heck aren't all our jeans like this already? The setup is that good. When the mag pockets are empty, you can forget about them, but when you need extra storage space, they're right there waiting for you. Even if you're not using them for rifle mags, they come in handy constantly. Pickpockets might not think to look there, or want to reach into such a deep pocket, so you could conceal a slim wallet inside for travel purposes. Thicker items will produce a visible bulge, however.

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The coin pocket is also extremely useful. It swallows up flashlights, knives, tactical pens, and the like, leaving access to the pocket below unobstructed. If we could make a request, we'd ask for one more pocket — a tiny concealed pocket inside the waistband for emergency cash, a spare key, or other small essentials. But as it stands now, seven pockets is a whole lot better than four and a half.

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The Defender-Flex line bridges the gap between consumer-grade clothing and tactical apparel. Some may look at these as just pants with some extra pockets and stretch fabric, and think what's the big deal?, but to us these are legitimately a big deal. They're not just jeans, they're jeans that could potentially make the other pairs you own obsolete.

These aren't relegated to tactical training, range days, or outdoor excursions. You could wear them to the office or the mall, and nobody would bat an eye. Meanwhile, you'd be able to organize your EDC gear better, carry more in your pockets, and move with greater flexibility. Best of all, they only cost about $20 more than an ordinary pair of cotton jeans.

For more information on the 5.11 Tactical Defender-Flex jeans and pants when they become available, visit 511Tactical.com or follow 5.11 Tactical on Facebook.

New: Buck 110 Auto Push-Button Folding Knife

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Do you remember the first knife you ever used? Thinking back to my own childhood, my father had what I now recognize as a Buck 110 Folding Hunter in the glovebox of his car. It was scuffed and scratched, and its cutting edge was well-worn, but it was one of the first folding knives I ever laid my hands on. That memory has stuck with me. Even though I now own many modern knives decked out with titanium and carbon fiber, the Buck 110 has a classic look that will never feel old to me.

My dad's old Buck knife looked much like this one.

My dad's old Buck knife looked much like this one, with what some might call “patina”. Photo: CapCase...

More than 50 years after the debut of the Buck 110 in 1963, the company still offers the traditional design, complete with the wood handle, nail nick, and lockback. However, Buck has recently announced a new version of this iconic folding knife. This time, it's available as an automatic.

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Buck's new 110 Auto model has a button-release mechanism, and a traditional lockback.

The Buck 110 Auto closely resembles the original Folding Hunter, and still has the wood scales with brass pins and bolsters. You'll likely notice the push-button on the handle, and also that the 420HC stainless blade is missing its nail nick. Pressing the button releases the blade; to close it again, depress the lockback like you would on a manual-opening Buck 110.

Here's a video clip we recorded at SHOT Show 2017 of the knife opening:

Like the original, the new Buck 110 Auto is made in the USA, and includes a leather sheath. This knife is available at an MSRP of $200. For more information on the 110 Auto, visit BuckKnives.com.

Q&A: Survival Expert Hakim Isler of “Kicking & Screaming”

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Hakim Isler is a man of many talents — hence his nickname, “Black MacGyver“. He's an Iraq war veteran and former member of the Army Special Operations community, where he served as a Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) Sergeant. Hakim also has extensive experience as a practitioner and teacher of martial arts — he's a fourth-degree black belt in To-Shin Do under Black Belt Hall of Fame member Stephen K. Hayes, and is an instructor in the Filipino combat system of FCS Kali.

Hakim passes these martial arts skills on to students through Elevo Dynamics, the 24-hour family gym and combatives training facility he founded in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

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Hakim is also the founder of The SOIL Foundation, a nonprofit that offers off-grid training and excursions to to help veterans, law enforcement, and civilians recover from anxiety, depression, and PTSD. On top of all this, Hakim is the author of Modern Hand to Hand Combat, a contributor to our print magazine (see “Plan of Action” in Issue 16), and a TV personality. In 2014, he tested his wilderness survival skills on Discovery's Naked and Afraid, and later made another appearance on Naked and Afraid XL in 2015.

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Hakim with the rest of the cast of “Naked & Afraid XL” Season 1.

His latest project is with the all-new FOX TV series Kicking & Screaming, which debuts next Thursday, March 9th at 9/8C. The show pairs experienced survivalists like Hakim with high-maintenance city dwellers and survival novices:

In anticipation of this TV appearance, we took some time to talk with Hakim about his time on the show, as well as his every-day survival philosophy.

OG: Hey Hakim, thanks for talking with us today. What initially led you to take an interest in survival and self-reliance?

My first awakening to the power of nature was in the Army SERE-C course. Most who know what that is would think that would be the worst place to learn it — while on the run with your team trying to escape capture — but it was not for me. There was a moment surrendering to nature while I laid drenched in heavy rain trying to avoid capture. I had to accept that I wasn't in control and in that moment I felt a freedom like I had never felt before. Some call it “embracing the suck,” but this was different for me. It was more like embracing the power of nature, and finding solace in letting go and becoming more than I was before.

KICKING & SCREAMING: Hakim Isler, Martial Arts Instructor.

KICKING & SCREAMING: Hakim Isler. CR: Jeff Neira / FOX. © FOX Broadcasting Co.

OG: We imagine there's a story of ingenuity behind your nickname, “Black MacGyver”. How did that name come about?

I came to be called this in the military because I was always thinking and creating. I would often come up with outside-the-box solutions for issues, and they would work. In layman's terms, people would call what I do ingenuity, but I call what I do Ninjanuity. Since I am a fourth-degree Black Belt in Ninja Self Protection (To-Shin Do) a.k.a a Ninja, the idea of adapt and overcome is the way I see things. It is that mindset that drives my art of Ninjanuity.

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OG: Some of our readers will recognize you from your 21-day survival scenario in India on “Naked and Afraid”. What lessons did you learn from that experience?

The greatest lesson I learned from the Himalayan Mountains while on Naked and Afraid was that war changed me. My last deployment ended in 2007 and I thought I came home in decent shape. The truth was there was a lot I had buried under the mission of work and life. During the 21-day challenge I found that beyond my challenges with my partner, the more depleted I became the less I could suppress the side of me that I had not faced. I had an awakening out there that was never caught on camera, and it was that awakening that caused me to start The Soil Foundation in Robbins, North Carolina. It's a wilderness therapy and retreat for military, civil servants and youth struggling with emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

“Beautiful day off the grid yesterday showing my little girl the wonders of outdoors.” Photo: The SOIL...

OG: We're excited to check out your latest TV appearance on Kicking & Screaming next week. Tell us a little about the premise of the show, and how you got involved.

This show is going to be epic! The show is about ten survivalists paired with ten pampered high-society individuals with little to no outdoor experience. We survivalists have to help the pampered novices survive, thrive, and win a series of challenges until one group remains and claims $500,000.

OG: It has to be stressful dealing with a survival situation alongside someone totally inexperienced. What have been the biggest physical and psychological challenges you've faced?

Dealing with a novice when you are trying to win a prize that big was a little stressful, but it wasn't because my partner was a novice. My partner is Angelica Bridges and she was a Baywatch star. She is an amazing person and she was awesome out there for someone with little experience. Since I am a survival instructor that teaches kids, I had no problem working with a novice overall.

OG: How has your past military and martial arts training experience prepared you to guide a novice partner on “Kicking & Screaming”?

This is a great question. My military experience really beat into me the idea that “team work makes the dream work”. It was both my Ninja training and my PSYOP training that helped me mentally and emotionally. To be a true instructor, you have to understand how people operate and then how to use that knowledge to help them reach their potential. In addition to this skill you have to understand how you operate — knowing self is the foundation to knowing and connecting with others. We operate physically in this world based on our mental and emotional platform, understanding this is one of the main skills of the Ninja and of course an Psychological Operations specialist.

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Hakim alongside some of the cast of “Kicking & Screaming”.

OG: When you're not busy filming for TV or writing for our magazine, how do you spend your time?

When I am not busy filming TV shows I am serving my family and community. I own the worlds first DOJYM, a hybrid Ninja martial arts facility and 24-hour gym called Elevo Dynamics. I am also the founder of The Soil Foundation, a nonprofit wilderness therapy and retreat organization we are developing on 60 acres of land in Robbins, NC. We are currently trying to build a community center out of shipping containers. There we can house those we serve for three day or week long events. We currently offer outdoor camping retreats for military, civil servants, and youth that struggle with emotional challenges such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. Our community center will help us serve those in need and their families. We are currently trying to raise funds on our Indegogo and at our website www.thesoilfoundation.org if anyone reading would like to help support.

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OG: Every survivalist we meet has a different take on every-day-carry gear. What sort of EDC items do you normally carry during your daily routine?

Hmm the everyday carry item for a Ninja? Ahh, my mask and my sword! (laughs) Not really. I have two things I carry with me. The first is what I call The C.M.S. — the challenge mindset. This is the mindset that forces me to think outside of the box. I never carry the same items consistently because I don't want to become reliant or complacent. I am always challenging myself with “what ifs” and “how would I…” This way, if I go somewhere where I can't have an item like a knife or a gun, I don't feel lost or naked. Life is constantly changing therefore so am I.

There is one physical thing I carry in my car or my bag, and that is a creation I made called the Life Baton. It's a survival kit that has everything I would need to survive outdoors. So the simple answer is C.M.S and the Life Baton. Most of the time being a instructor in FCS Kali and Black Tiger Kali, I also carry a knife, but not all the time.

OG: Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us. For those of our fans who'd like to stay up-to-date on your latest projects, what's the best way to follow you?

The best ways to follow me are my web sites — Hakim-Isler.com, TheSoilFoundation.org, BlackMacGyver.com — or you can follow me on Facebook.

For more information on Kicking & Screaming, check out FOX.com/kicking-and-screaming or tune in on Thursday at 9/8C.