The Basics of Encrypted Radios

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DISCLAIMER: This article is intended to be a brief overview of encrypted radios, not an exhaustive guide. Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice. Check your local laws and license policies before transmitting from any radio, encrypted or otherwise.

Humans are social creatures. From the moment we’re born, we begin working to communicate with those around us — it starts with parents, siblings, and extended family, then friends and classmates, and eventually coworkers, spouses, and children of our own. In the best of times, our ability to communicate is fundamental to our happiness, but it’s when things go wrong that we feel its true importance. Whether it’s lost hikers in the backcountry, a town devastated by a natural disaster, or a country ravaged by war, our instinct is to call for help from neighbors, authorities, and allies. Here is quick breakdown about encrypted communications:

However, there’s another truth that must be acknowledged: Humans are predators. Even before organized societies formed, we hunted to stay alive — not with tooth and claw, but with our wits and the tools we devised. First, we hunted animals for food, and then we hunted other humans to prevent them from taking our food. Thus came the never-ending series of conflicts that have defined (and destroyed) countless nations.

An adult male using a smoke signal at the edge of the lake.

Above: From the simplest smoke signal to complex satellite phones or GPS beacons, the ability to communicate is especially critical in an emergency.

These two characteristics — social communicator and intelligent hunter — go hand-in-hand. As our weapons and technology developed over the millennia, so have our abilities to communicate and hunt. But it didn’t take long for these skill sets to be weaponized against each other. When our enemies attempted to communicate, we sent spies to intercept their messages. Recognizing this danger, they attempted to obscure their communications through the use of codes. Recorded examples of this date back as far as 1900 BC, when ancient Egyptians used non-standard hieroglyphics to conceal the meaning of messages. In response, we have assigned some of our best and brightest minds to the task of decoding encoded messages. This led to the arms race of communication security (COMSEC) that rages on today.

The Value of Encryption

Icon of someone talking on a smartphone for the encrypted radios article.

“Why COMSEC is Important,” a U.S. Air Force memo published in 2018, explains succinctly:

Communication security can be something as simple as a decoder ring you received in the mail as a child or as advanced as an electronic mathematical algorithm created for securing satellite communications thousands of miles away in space.

Cryptographic security and the encryption of information are probably the most recognized disciplines within COMSEC. The military and other government entities use encryption to protect classified information, businesses use encryption to protect trade secrets, and hospitals use encryption to protect patient information. Encryption can also be used on computer systems to protect files containing personal information such as social security numbers, credit cards, tax information, email, and chat histories. This ensures that even if your laptop or cell phone is stolen, the data contained is still secure and unreadable by others.

The compromise or mismanagement of COMSEC can negatively impact our lives in many ways by means of identity theft, turning the tides of war, or possibly causing unnecessary loss of life.

Legality and Restrictions

Unfortunately, as is true with weapons and other powerful tools, encryption is often tightly controlled and jealously guarded by governments. This is especially true in nations with regimes that lean toward authoritarian control. Global Partners Digital, a London-based company that focuses on “bringing laws and policies relating to the digital environment more in line with international human rights standards,” provided the following ranking of encryption legality around the world:

Map of the continents color coded by how legal using encrypted radios are in each country.

  • Widespread Restrictions: China, Russia, India, Iran, Egypt, Cuba
  • Some Restrictions: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Japan
  • Minimal Restrictions: United States, Canada, Ireland, Philippines

Refer to gp-digital.org/world-map-of-encryption for an interactive map with more details on each country’s policies.

While restrictions on encrypted communications are relatively lax in the U.S., there’s one area where they’re more stringent: amateur radio. In the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 47 § 97.113 — “Prohibited transmissions,” the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prohibits amateur radio users from transmitting “messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning.” This blanket statement effectively prohibits everything from advanced digital encryption to the use of simple code words with undisclosed meanings.

Photo of a motorola encrypted radio being held in someone's hand.

Above: The Motorola XTS 3000 is a common encryption-capable digital radio that can be purchased at a relatively affordable price from surplus sales/auctions.

Ostensibly, this policy is in place to preserve the open and non-commercial nature of amateur radio bands, since it wouldn’t be much fun if encrypted, indecipherable transmissions drowned out every attempt at casual conversation. But privacy-minded individuals may also see it as an attempt to impede their ability to communicate without Big Brother listening in. Lending some validity to these concerns, the FCC published a public Enforcement Advisory on January 17, 2021, in response to the January 6 incident at the Capitol. It stated the following:

The [FCC Enforcement] Bureau has become aware of discussions on social media platforms suggesting that certain radio services regulated by the Commission may be an alternative to social media platforms for groups to communicate and coordinate future activities. The Bureau recognizes that these services can be used for a wide range of permitted purposes … [but they] may not be used to commit or facilitate crimes.

Specifically, the Bureau reminds amateur licensees that they are prohibited from transmitting “communications intended to facilitate a criminal act” or “messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning.” Likewise, individuals operating radios in the Personal Radio Services, a category that includes CB, FRS, GMRS, and MURS are prohibited from using those radios “in connection with any activity which is against Federal, State or local law.” Individuals using radios in the Amateur or Personal Radio Services in this manner may be subject to severe penalties, including significant fines, seizure of the offending equipment, and, in some cases, criminal prosecution.

Regardless of your thoughts on the events that transpired that day, the message is clear. The FCC and other U.S. government agencies are paying close attention to encoded/encrypted civilian two-way radio communications, especially those that might relate to illegal activities or perceived national security concerns.

Above: Digital encrypted radios using the P25 standard are common among law enforcement agencies.

Exceptions: Of course, there are exceptions to the radio encryption rules. Military, law enforcement, and emergency services are exempt, and use of encrypted radios is common among these groups (mostly the first two). That should come as no surprise — refer to our previous point about governments jealously guarding powerful tools. (See also: the National Firearms Act of 1934.)

The other exception is for businesses. After obtaining the appropriate license, they can use frequencies within the Industrial / Business pool, which do allow encryption. Obtaining an Industrial / Business license involves navigating some fairly substantial red tape, as well as paying several hundred dollars in fees. You’ll need to file an FCC Form 601 online to provide information about your business, the specific frequencies you intend to use, the number of radios that will operate on the system, output power of each radio, antenna type and placement for stationary installations, and so on. There are specific requirements for eligibility, so you’ll need to confirm that your business meets these requirements before applying. And, of course, if your business violates any of the regulations, the punishments will be substantial.

Aside from these exceptions, any use of encryption on Amateur (ham) radio frequencies and Personal radio frequencies (e.g. those used by FRS and GMRS walkie-talkies) is illegal.

P25 Radio Standard

Above: The Motorola XTS 3000 can be used as stand-alone handsets, or can be connected to a variety of headsets and PTT systems.

Project 25, aka P25, is a set of standards developed by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO) so that “emergency responders can exchange critical communications across agencies and jurisdictions.” It specifies the use of digital two-way radios, which are backward-compatible with analog wideband and narrowband radio systems. This means that P25 radios can transmit voice and data to other P25 digital radios but can also communicate with common analog radios (FRS walkie-talkies, Baofeng handhelds, off-road mobile radios, and so on). P25 radios are widely used by police, fire, ambulance, and emergency rescue services.

Devices that meet the P25 standard can be used without encryption, in which case anyone with a P25-compatible digital radio will be able to listen in and respond. For higher-security applications, these radios can also be set up to use the 56-bit Data Encryption Standard (DES) or 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).

DES and AES Encryption

DES encryption was developed by IBM and adopted by the U.S. government in 1977. Its 56-bit cipher was quite secure at its inception, but by the 1990s, the rapid advancement of computing power had made it possible to overcome DES through brute force — a computer could randomly guess the key in less than 24 hours. This led to the development of a much more secure system, AES, which was officially recognized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2002.

AES is available in three flavors: 128-bit, 192-bit, and the most secure, 256-bit. The former two systems require less computing power to encrypt and decrypt, but in exchange, offer less security. As processors got faster, AES-256 became the gold standard. You use AES-256 every single day without thinking about it — it’s integrated into the NTFS Windows file system, SSL/TLS security certificates for online banking and commerce web pages, password managers, messaging apps, VPN services, and much more. It’s the only publicly available cipher approved by the National Security Agency (NSA) for top secret data storage, and the 2012 Edward Snowden leaks showed that the NSA had also spent years attempting — unsuccessfully — to break it.

So, how secure is AES-256? Unless you obtain the encryption key to decrypt the data, it can be considered virtually unbreakable when implemented correctly. According to a calculation by The SSL Store, successfully guessing the sequence of 256 ones and zeros that make up a key would likely take a millions of  years to decrypt — and that’s if you were using the combined power of every single computer on Earth. Although the advent of quantum computing will probably make this type of encryption obsolete in the not-so-far future. Of course, any security system is only as strong as its weakest link, so hackers will seek work-arounds rather than attempting to defeat AES-256.

Encrypted Radio Vulnerabilities

We’re looking at radios from an emergency preparedness standpoint, not one of business logistics. Therefore, we’re less concerned with competitors overhearing our trade secrets, and more concerned with malicious individuals overhearing information that could help them find and victimize us. AES-256 encryption will prevent even the most tech-savvy criminals from listening to your conversations and can stand up to government-level scrutiny. However, there are other vulnerabilities that must be considered.

RDF: The first vulnerability is one that no amount of encryption will solve. Radio Direction Finding, or RDF, is used to determine the location and movement of a transmitter. It’s not necessary to be able to understand a transmission to determine where it’s coming from. RDF is often used by military units to track down and destroy enemy radio installations or jammers, as well as by search and rescue organizations to find lost individuals. This skill isn’t exclusive to trained professionals — it’s also a hobby among radio enthusiasts, who conduct “fox hunting” competitions to locate transmitters hidden inside (or moving through) a designated search area. Enthusiasts have also been known to track down and report illegal pirate radio stations that encroach on amateur frequencies.

Above: Polaris RDF is an Android app used by search and rescue personnel to locate targets using radio-based emergency beacons.

RDF can be accomplished with a single directional receiver, or with multiple receivers to triangulate a transmitter. Professionals have precise tools designed specifically for this task, with spinning DF antennas that can scan a broad range of frequencies in a 360-degree area.
If you believe there’s a risk of someone using RDF to locate you, it’s wise to be erratic. Only transmit in short bursts, move to different locations as often as possible, and never follow a predictable schedule.

Hardware Interception: There’s no need to pick a lock or smash a window if a criminal can just steal the key. Similarly, encryption can be defeated by capturing one of the radios that has been programmed with the encryption key, or by capturing the computer that was used to program the radios. There’s plenty of historical precedent for this — many of the breakthroughs leading up to the eventual defeat of the German Enigma Machine cipher during WWII were the result of Allied forces capturing machine components, codebooks, and radio operators who could be interrogated.

Aside from common-sense physical security measures to prevent radios from falling into the wrong hands, the risk of hardware interception can be reduced through periodically loading new encryption keys. Large organizations often use over-the-air rekeying (OTAR) to load new encryption keys into digital radios that are already out in the field. The U.S. Military adopted this as a standard procedure in 1988, and it became a NATO standard soon after. The NSA created an advanced form of OTAR known as the Electronic Key Management System (EKMS). Using OTAR, network administrators can remotely issue new keys to all radios at the push of a button or deactivate individual radios on demand.

Above: A Russian Krasukha-2 radio jamming station. (Photo via Mil.ru, CC 4.0)

Jamming: In a report titled “Security Weaknesses in the APCO Project 25 Two-Way Radio System,” University of Pennsylvania Department of Computer and Informational Science researchers concluded that “P25 systems are highly susceptible to selective jamming attacks, in which an attacker can jam specific kinds of traffic (such as encrypted messages or key management traffic).” The report explains that jamming attacks are “not only feasible but highly efficient, requiring, for example, significantly less aggregate energy output from a jammer than from the legitimate transmitters.” Through selective jamming, “encrypted [radio] users can be forced (knowingly or unknowingly) to revert to unencrypted mode.”

Above: Small, man-portable jammers have become a popular tool among Mexican drug cartels. They seem to go hand-in-hand with another piece of tech the cartels have adopted: aerial drones.

What does this mean to us? If you ever find yourself up against a highly sophisticated, state-sponsored threat — this is the absolute worst-case scenario — it’s possible that jamming attacks will be used to block transmissions on certain frequencies or force you to communicate without encryption. The report states, “[selective jamming attacks] can prevent encrypted traffic from being received and can force the users to disable encryption, or can be used to deny service altogether.”

Short of physically disabling the jammer or moving outside its range, there’s not much you can do to prevent these high-tech, targeted attacks. Like we said earlier, AES-256 encryption is extremely secure, but knowledgeable hackers will always be looking for work-arounds.

Closing Thoughts

Photo of Tom Marshal using encrypted radios to communicate.

Buying a security system is one thing; understanding how it works is another thing entirely. Before attempting to obtain encrypted radios, it’s critical to understand the basics of how these systems work, why they’re valuable, and what their potential vulnerabilities are. We hope this article has been helpful in that regard. Armed with this knowledge and the matching hardware, your COMSEC plan will be ahead of the curve long before any disaster — man-made or natural — knocks out cell towers and Wi-Fi.

If a day comes when the proverbial excrement hits the fan, encrypted radios can serve as a priceless lifeline to your family and friends that keeps not-so-friendly listeners at bay.

Encrypted Radios FAQ

  • Q: Are encrypted radios legal?
    A: It depends on the laws in whichever country you are using an encrypted radio. In most countries it is not legal, so it pays to research which laws might affect you.
  • Q: Can civilians get encrypted radios?
    A: Some radios have built-in encryption options, but if someone else has a similar model, they will most likely be able to listen to transmissions from other radios of the same type.
  • Q: Is it illegal to decrypt police radio?
    A: In the United States, Federal and state laws make intercepting and divulging radio communications illegal and punishable by severe criminal penalties, with certain exceptions.

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Gear Up: New Survival Gear For October 2023

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Welcome back to our dive into the world of gear! In this edition of Gear Up, we explore the latest innovations and reliable classics that are key to staying prepared for any challenge. From cutting-edge technology to time-tested tools, our focus is on equipping you with insights and information that keep you one step ahead wherever the journey of life may take you. Whether you're bracing for the unknown or fine-tuning your preparedness kit, join us as we unpack the must-haves for this month.

Spy Briefing Gear Tactical Spy Pen

NOTES

Engineered as a multifunctional tool, the Tactical Spy Pen is made of a solid block of metal and features a pointed tip. This design allows it to serve as a self-defense tool, capable of stopping an attacker. Additionally, it can be used as a glass-breaking device in emergency situations. It also has a fully functioning pen feature, rounding out its design as a versatile tool. In a crisis, having a tool that can be rapidly deployed against a threat can mean the difference between safety and danger. The Tactical Spy Pen also comes with a 45-minute training video, providing insights into carrying, spotting threats, and other strategies.

Studio photo of the Tactical Spy Pen by Spy Briefing Gear.

COLOR

Titanium

MSRP

$35

URL

spybriefinggear.com

Condor Tool & Knife Terrachete Machete

NOTES

Meet the Terrachete Machete by Condor Tool & Knife. This versatile machete is crafted for everyone, from the seasoned woodsman to the casual outdoor enthusiast. With a blade length of 14.6 inches made from 1075 High Carbon Steel and a Condor Classic finish, it's built to endure harsh environments. The ergonomic thermoplastic handle ensures comfort and control, while the unique grind design offers a tougher edge near the tip and a more controlled carving edge near the handle. Weighing 25.4 ounces, it's substantial yet manageable. The extended pommel adds to its functionality, and the high-impact polypropylene sheath with a leather belt loop ensures safe storage. Whether you're navigating through dense brush or engaging in precise carving, the Terrachete Machete is a reliable cutting tool you can count on.

Studio photo of the Terrachete Machete by Condor Tool & Knife.

MATERIAL

1075 High Carbon Steel

MSRP

$70

URL

condortk.com

Artisan Cutlery CJRB Hyperlite

NOTES

The CJRB Hyperlite J1922B is a fixed blade knife that's a unique blend of functionality and lightweight design. Created in collaboration with outdoor and bushcraft enthusiast Joe Flowers, this knife is a cross between a wide bushcrafting blade and a tiny machete. With a 4.2-inch AR-RPM9 powdered steel blade, it features a powerful full flat grind and a wide fuller to reduce weight. The comfortable G10 handle ensures a firm grip in various positions. Weighing only 3.5 ounces, it’s one of the few featherweight full-sized fixed blades, making it an ideal hiking companion or a backup to a larger fixed blade or ax. The sand polish finish adds a touch of elegance, and it comes with a rope and sheath for convenience.

Studio photo of the CJRB Hyperlite by Artisan Cutlery.

WEIGHT

3.5 ounces

MSRP

$60

URL

artisancutlery.net

Cold Steel Click-N-Cut Hunting Kit

NOTES

Cold Steel’s Click-N-Cut Hunting Kit is designed for outdoorsmen who want to maintain quality without adding unnecessary weight to their pack. This field kit offers five interchangeable blades, including a 3.5-inch caper blade, 4-inch skinning blade with gut hook, 4-inch general-purpose blade, 5-inch boning blade, and 6-inch bone saw. The textured handle provides an easy grip, enhancing the user's control and precision. The kit also includes a case for convenient storage and transport. The Click-N-Cut Field Kit is positioned as a go-to option for many hunters and fishermen, with a wide range of blades for their specific needs. Overall, it’s a versatile tool that could be a valuable addition to an outdoor enthusiast’s gear, offering multiple blade options in a single, lightweight package.

Studio photo of the Click-N-Cut Hunting Kit by Cold Steel.

BLADES

5

MSRP

$100

URL

coldsteel.com

Grim Workshop Pocket Survival Fishing Kit

NOTES

In a survival situation, the ability to catch fish can be lifesaving, providing essential nutrients. Grim’s Pocket Survival Fishing Kit is a versatile and compact tool designed for both novice and experienced fishermen. It includes a card caster handline fishing reel, fishing lure card, specialty hook survival fishing card, line card with deployable waxed line, survival tip cards, and a fishing accessory storage tin. The entire kit weighs under 3 ounces and fits conveniently in a pocket or tackle box. The reusable hooks and lures, made from high-grade stainless steel, offer durability and rust resistance. Included tip cards with information on jug fishing, trapping, and improvised fishing lures adds value for survival scenarios. Whether for kayaking, camping, hiking, or as a backup in a bug-out bag, this kit offers practical solutions for fishing needs.

Studio photo of the Pocket Survival Fishing Kit by Grim Workshop.

SIZE

2.25 by 3.75 inches

MSRP

$45

URL

grimworkshop.com

Kokopelli Rogue-Lite X

NOTES

The Rogue-Lite X by Kokopelli is a packraft designed for adventure enthusiasts. Constructed with DuPont Kevlar from floor to sidewalls, it offers a strong strength-to-weight ratio, making it extremely durable. Weighing 10.4 pounds and packing down to the size of a paper towel roll, it’s suitable for lakes, oceans, and Class I rivers. The Rogue-Lite X includes an Inflation Bag, Inflation Tube, Compression Strap Set, and Emergency Repair Kit. Its Leafield D7 valve, 5-inch inflatable seat, and auto pressure relief valve add to its functionality. Lightweight and compact, the Rogue-Lite X’s design allows for quick deployment in emergency water crossings or as a means of transportation across bodies of water.

Studio photo of the Rogue-Lite X by Kokopelli.

WEIGHT

10.4 pounds

MSRP

$1,099

URL

kokopelli.com

Mission First Tactical MFT Belly Band Holster

NOTES

Designed for activities such as walking, jogging, hiking, and biking, the MFT Belly Band Holster offers a versatile carrying solution. Made with 3D Spacer Mesh Fabric, it ensures efficient airflow and comfort, while its Open-Air Weave Construction hinders bacterial growth. Safety is enhanced with a Hard Laminate Trigger Shield, and two Elastic pockets allow for carrying spare magazines, knives, or flashlights. Additionally, two secure YKK Zippered Storage Pockets can hold essentials like cash, keys, or a phone. Ambidextrous and fitting waist sizes from 26 to 52 inches, this holster provides a secure and comfortable way to carry essential items. For situations where it’s not viable to wear a traditional gun belt and Kydex holster, this belly band holster is a practical and discreet option.

Studio photo of the MFT Belly Band Holster by Mission First Tactical.

STYLE

Ambidextrous

MSRP

$50

URL

missionfirsttactical.com

AXIL XCOR

NOTES

AXIL’s XCOR earbuds are a unique blend of technology and practicality, designed to enhance and protect hearing. With a 29dB Single Number Rating (SNR), these earbuds offer features that can be vital in challenging environments. The Hear Control allows users to be aware of their surroundings, while the Digital Hearing Protection compresses loud noises instead of shutting them off, safeguarding against damaging sounds over 85 dB. This ensures that you can still hear essential sounds while being shielded from potential harm. The earbuds also come with Bluetooth audio, enabling connection to devices for whatever is on your playlist, and the ability to answer calls or texts. With a battery life of up to 12 hours for Hear Control only, and water, dust, and wind resistance, these earbuds can be a reliable companion in situations where maintaining situational awareness and communication is crucial.

Studio photo of the XCOR by AXIL.

CONNECTIVITY

Bluetooth

MSRP

$349

URL

goaxil.com

Pnuma Outdoors Palisade Puffy Jacket

NOTES

The Palisade Puffy Jacket by Pnuma Outdoors is engineered to withstand various elements. This lightweight jacket offers exceptional warmth through innovative insulation technology, coupled with a water-repellent and quick-drying outer shell. Features like YKK sealed Aquaguard zippers, an integrated stuff sack, fitted hood, and Polygiene treatments for odor control make it a practical choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Weighing 25.6 ounces, it’s made of 100 percent polyester with a blend of synthetic and down insulation. In challenging conditions, where maintaining body heat and staying dry are essential, having a warm jacket can be a vital asset.

Studio photo of the Palisade Puffy Jacket by Pnuma.

COLORS

Beluga, Caza

MSRP

$310

URL

pnumaoutdoors.com

Thin Air Gear Wide Track Deployment Bag

NOTES

Designed for those who need to be prepared for any situation, Thin Air Gear’s Wide Track Deployment Bag offers a blend of functionality and durability. Measuring 30 by 20 by 11 inches with a capacity of 6,600 cubic inches, this bag is constructed from robust 500D MIL-spec Cordura fabric. It features a 9-inch cloth pull handle, 14-inch retractable handle, and 4-inch polyurethane HD wheels, making it both wheelable and hangable. The 360-degree closed-cell foam protection and ballistic nylon back add to its resilience. With YKK #10 lockable zippers, seven interior storage pockets, and a tan 420D pack-cloth interior, there are plenty of accessible organization options. The 3D aerospace mesh and double-stitched/bartacked construction enhance its longevity. This bag provides immediate access to necessary tools and equipment.

Studio photo of the Wide Track Deployment Bag by Thin Air Gear.

DIMENSIONS

30 by 20 by 11 inches

MSRP

$339

URL

thinairgearusa.com

Vyper Kydex Tourniquet Carrier

NOTES

Vyper Kydex’s Tourniquet Carrier is a must-have accessory for those who understand the importance of immediate response to trauma. Crafted with industry-standard .08 Kydex and equipped with steel hardware, this carrier offers adjustable retention and is available with either belt or MOLLE attachments. It’s specifically built to accommodate the North American Rescue CAT Tourniquet series, ensuring a perfect fit. The design prioritizes quick access without any special actions; just yank it out and it’s ready to use. Whether you’re in the military, law enforcement, or other public safety roles, having this carrier means that a vital piece of kit is always within reach.

Studio photo of the Tourniquet Carrier by Vyper Kydex.

COLORS

Black, Coyote, OD Green, Storm Gray

MSRP

$45

URL

vyperkydex.com

Bubba Goose Design The Wolf Pack

NOTES

Introducing the Bubba Goose Wolf Pack, a backpack designed for both lightweight convenience and heavy-duty performance. Available in three sizes — narrow, regular, and wide — it’s tailored to fit a wide range of body frames. Crafted from U.S.-milled military surplus 1000 denier Cordura and reinforced nylon laminate, it promises durability and a lifetime of use. Weighing less than 2 pounds makes it relatively easy to carry, while the padded Alice Pack-style shoulder harness ensures comfort. The exterior pockets, large zipper pocket, and neon green signal panel add functionality and style. Hand-sewn in Seattle, Washington, and assembled from U.S.-milled fabrics, it’s a great everyday rucksack.

Studio photo of The Wolf Pack by Bubba Goose Design.

VOLUME

21L (+10L for outside pockets)

MSRP

$230

URL

bubbagoosedesign.com

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Hello Morse: Learn Morse Code with Google

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In the past, we've written several articles about the value of Morse code. Whether you're learning it as a means of transmitting information non-verbally in dire emergencies, or as a subtle way to communicate a few words or phrases, Morse code is a valuable tool in any survivalist's toolbox. Also, while it may feel imposing to attempt to interpret fast sequences of dots and dashes, it's not a hard skill to learn if you give it some time. This learning process is also made easier thanks to free resources like Google's Hello Morse tools.

The standard list of Morse code combinations can be tricky to memorize unaided.

Introduction to Hello Morse

Hello Morse is a collection of “experiments inspired by Morse code on Android Gboard.” Gboard is Google's name for its touchscreen keyboard, available for Android or iOS. It offers numerous languages, including Morse code. If you have Gboard set up, you can go activate the Morse keyboard and start practicing immediately — it even provides predictive suggestions as you tap out dots and dashes. However, if you want to establish a baseline of skill before diving in, check out the Hello Morse page on experiments.withgoogle.com.

The Morse Keyboard

Google partner developer Tania Finlayson encouraged coders to create games, teaching tools, and other experiments based on the Gboard Morse keyboard. These include morse.withgoogle.com/learn — a free app for your phone or desktop browser. It uses memorable pictograms to illustrate the dot/dash combinations for each letter, then asks you to tap the appropriate combination, first with the pictograms and then without them. See below for a list of all the pictograms (click here to download a poster-size version).

Above: Pictograms used to help learn the combinations of Morse Code dots and dashes.

Other Hello Morse Applications

The Hello Morse page also contains other interesting applications of Gboard Morse, such as Hello, Emmett!, a game where you guide a character through a maze by typing the correct letters in Morse (this one only works on a phone with Gboard installed). Check out this video of Hello Morse in action:

FAQ

  • Q: What is Hello Morse?
    A: Hello Morse is a collection of AI and Chrome experiments inspired by Morse code on Android Gboard.
  • Q: What does 3 dots mean in Morse code?
    A: 3 dots in Morse code signifies the letter “S”.
  • Q: How do you tap SOS in Morse code?
    A: An SOS sent by Morse code is a well-known distress signal. It is three short taps followed by three long taps, and then finished three short taps again.
  • Q: What are Morse code signals?
    A: Morse code is a communication method used encode text characters as sequences of two different signal durations, called dots and dashes, or dits and dahs.
  • Q: What does SOS stand for in Morse code?
    A: SOS is Morse code for “Save Our Ship”. Although it was originally used for ships in distress, it has evolved to be an alert for any emergency situation.
  • Q: Is it hard to learn Morse code?
    A: Learning Morse code is not too difficult. However, it takes diligent practice to become proficient.

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Holosun DRS: New Red Dot + Thermal Hybrid Optic

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Thermal imaging is an incredibly powerful technology, whether it's being used for hog hunting, tracking fugitives from a helicopter, or locating enemy troops on a battlefield. It illuminates warm-blooded creatures instantly, even if they're visually camouflaged and motionless. At SHOT Show 2023 this week, Holosun unveiled an exciting new hybrid optic called the Holosun DRS (Digital Reflex Sight) that integrates a thermal or digital night vision overlay onto a standard red dot. Although it's not ready for retail release yet, there are a handful of prototypes undergoing testing, and we got our hands on both variants at the SHOT Show Range Day. Before we go on, sign up for our free email newsletter to stay up to date on all the latest gear and emergency preparedness info!

Holosun DRS Red Dot Hybrid Optic

holosun-drs-thermal-red-dot-sight-optic-closeup

The new Holosun DRS (formerly known as the DMS in its prototype phase) appears to be based on the popular Holosun AEMS, a compact, enclosed-emitter red dot with flip-down lens covers. However, in this case the front cover is opaque instead of clear. When it's flipped down, the optic works just like a normal red dot with adjustable brightness and Holosun's selectable dot or circle-dot reticles.

When the front lens cover is flipped up, you can press a button to activate the DRS's secondary optical system, which will be projected onto the black window behind the red dot reticle. Since the red dot is independent of the background image, the optic maintains the same zero at all times, day or night.

DRS Versions

We checked out two Holosun DRS sub-models, each with a different secondary overlay:

  • DRS-TH – Thermal optic with various image modes
  • DRS-NV – Digital night vision camera (think along the same lines as the Sionyx Aurora Pro) with infrared illuminator

holosun-drs-thermal-red-dot-sight-optic-rifle

Above: Editor Tom Marshall tests the Holosun DRS-NV. It can be identified by the top-mounted digital night vision camera, which is slightly smaller than the DRS-TH thermal camera.

DRS Capabilities

The red dot and secondary thermal or NV optic are independent of one another, so during the day you can leave the secondary optic disabled to conserve battery life. Speaking of batteries, the unit is powered by two 18350 rechargeable lithium batteries, which can be charged directly inside the DRS optic via a built-in USB port on the right side of the housing.

That USB port also offers the ability to stream footage to a secondary screen in real-time, so you could connect your DRS to a tablet and use it to observe a static position without getting behind the weapon.

holosun-drs-thermal-red-dot-sight-digital-night-vision

Above: The Holosun DRS-TH Pro (left, with opaque cover flipped down) and DRS-NV (right, with cover flipped up). Note the small protrusion next to the NV camera lens — that's an infrared illuminator for use in environments with no ambient light, such as dark buildings without windows. The illuminator can be toggled on and off independently.

holosun-drs-thermal-red-dot-sight-optic-screen

Above: We took several photos and video clips through a pre-production DRS-TH Pro during SHOT Show. This image shows the view with the front cover up and the red dot sight turned on. Ignore the slight blur that was induced by holding our camera behind the optic — the display is quite sharp in person. Click here for a video of the DRS-TH Pro in action.

DRS Performance

Initial performance impressions were good, with a clear image and fast refresh rate. The DRS-NV image appeared somewhat dim during our morning trip to the range, but this is understandable due to the bright daylight conditions; it should be much easier to see in the dark conditions it was designed for. The DRS-TH showed body heat prominently in the daylight, with a bright red dot on top.

holosun-drs-thermal-red-dot-sight-night-vision-screen

Above: The DRS-NV digitally intensifies visible and infrared light to generate a monochrome image of the environment. This photo was taken indoors in a well-lit area, but we hope to test it in the dark soon. The red dot sight is turned off in this photo.

Holosun hasn't finalized the designs and features of these optics, but we're told the DRS-NV should be priced under $1,000. That's impressive considering an AEMS red dot is nearly half that without the extra optical system on top. As for the thermal DRS-TH, there will be a standard model available for approximately $1,600 and a premium, higher-resolution DRS-TH Pro model available for about $2,300. We'll keep you posted once we have more details about availability, and we're already planning a thorough review as soon as final production samples are available from Holosun.

Update: Holosun Wins “Best of SHOT Show 2023” Award

After walking through the manufacturer booths at SHOT Show 2023, the Recoil staff discussed which product would win their “Best of Show” award. Since the Holosun DRS brings advanced thermal and night vision technology to the consumer market at an attainable price, our editors agreed it should receive this coveted title. Check out the video below from RecoilTV to watch the award announcement:

FAQ

  • Q: When will the Holosun Thermal DRS be released?
    A: Their has not been an official announcement, but there is speculation that it will release Q4 of 2023.
  • Q: How much does a Holosun Thermal DRS cost?
    A: As of October 2023, the DRS-TH is still expected to cost about $1,599, and the the night vision version, the DRS-NV costs about $999.
  • Q: Is Holosun a Chinese company?
    A: Holosun is a U.S. company; however, their manufacturing, like most U.S. based companies, takes place in China.
  • Q: Which Holosun is used in the military?
    A: Holosun is used by thousands of military and law enforcement personnel. According to some sources, the top three models used in these professions are the 509T, the EPS, and the 508T.

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Water Purification: Minimum Boiling Time and Other Methods

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If you've ever read about water purification on internet forums or social media, it's likely that you encountered at least one person who asked, “how long should water be boiled before it's considered safe?” This is a common question, and one that's prudent to ask — after all, you wouldn't want to take any chances of consuming bacteria or protozoa that will make you severely ill. Unfortunately, this question has also led to the spread of some misinformation on the topic. (Sign up for our free newsletter to stay caught up on more life saving info like this!)

Water over rocks

Above: This water may appear clear and clean, but it can contain invisible pathogens that will definitely ruin your day.

Safe Water Is Crucial

The importance of utilizing safe, clean water cannot be overstated, in both everyday and emergency scenarios. It's the linchpin that holds the continuum of health, hygiene, and survival together. Unsafe water can harbor harmful microorganisms and chemicals that can cause serious health problems. Diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid can spread through contaminated water. By using safe water, you significantly reduce the risk of contracting or spreading these diseases.

Clean water is crucial for the body’s absorption of nutrients. It aids in digestion and ensures that the nutrients from the food we eat are effectively absorbed by the body. In emergency situations, having access to safe water can be a lifesaver. It reduces your vulnerability to diseases at times when medical resources might be scarce. Staying hydrated is vital for maintaining energy levels and physical health, especially during emergencies where physical exertion and stress levels might be high.

Safe water is essential for hygiene practices like washing hands, cleaning, and cooking. It helps in preventing infections, maintaining a clean environment, and promoting overall sanitation. Utilizing safe water for cooking and cleaning food is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses, which can be particularly hazardous in emergency scenarios.

Boiling Water

First of all, you may hear self-proclaimed “experts” on the internet say that water must be boiled for a minimum time of 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or even 20 minutes to ensure that all waterborne pathogens have been killed. This minimum boiling time constraint is a myth, and we'll explain why.

Scientific research tells us that waterborne pathogens (bacteria, protozoa, and viruses) are killed or inactivated at high temperatures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  a rolling boil for at least 1 minute, will kill most bacteria, protozoa, and viruses.

Water purification warning sign

Most bacteria, protozoa and viruses will be killed in temperatures as low as 150°F, and we know that water boils* at 212°F (100°C). This means that by the time water has reached a rolling boil, it will be safe to drink.

Boiling Water at Higher Altitudes

*Now, there is one important clarification: the 212°F boiling point we mentioned is at sea level, and boiling temperature changes with altitude. The higher you are above sea level, the lower the boiling point of water will be. For example, at 10,000 feet, the boiling point drops to 193.6°F (89.8°C). At the summit of Mt. Everest, an immense 29,029 feet, the boiling point is 158°F (70°C). So, even at the highest point on earth, bringing water to a rolling boil will kill pathogens in less than 1 minute. For an added margin of safety, the CDC recommends boiling for 3 minutes at altitudes above 6,562 feet.

woman-on-top-of-a-mountain

Above: While altitude changes the boiling point of water, it's not significant enough to affect purification by...

Filtering Water

You might think that by going to your local camping supply store, and buying a filter would solve the need for having to boil water. But you could be purchasing a misleading product if you aren't aware of the nuances involved. To make sure you're getting the right filter for the job, you need to be aware of what the filter rating actually means.

Water filters and purifiers are typically measured and rated to remove 99.X percent of viruses, bacteria, or protozoan cysts. Each digit in this percentage represents a power of 10, also called a “log” (short for logarithm). For example, a filter rated to remove 99.99 percent of bacteria would be rated at a “4-log bacteria reduction.”

If your water had exactly 1,000,000 microbes in it, a 4-log reduction would mean only 100 of those microbes would be left in the water after treatment — 999,900 microbes would be removed. A 6-log or 99.9999-percent reduction would leave only 1 microbe in the water. 

If all of that was confusing, we cover it more extensively in our water filter buyers guide. But the long story short is: not all filters are created equally, and it pays to do your due diligence before relying on one for safe drinking water. Check out the video below to learn more about how water filters work, and what to look for on a label.

Disinfecting Water

Water disinfection is a crucial skill, especially in emergency situations where access to clean water may be compromised. It's a basic yet critical aspect of survival and preparedness. Here are several methods to purify water, making it safe for consumption:

  • Chemical disinfectants like iodine or chlorine tablets are portable and effective against many pathogens. They're a good choice for a bug-out bag or other portable emergency kit. The downside is they may leave an unpleasant taste, and they aren't effective against some cysts like Cryptosporidium.

  • Portable UV light purifiers are also available. They're effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including those resistant to chlorine. The drawback is they require batteries and may not work well in cloudy or turbid water.

https://youtu.be/ourrdz2RYaM?si=hdoeEn_AeHNf7R2t

  • Distillation involves boiling water and then collecting the vapor, which leaves behind contaminants. Distillation can remove bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and chemicals. It's more energy-intensive and might not be the most practical choice in every scenario.

FAQ

  • Q: How long does water have to boil to become sterile?
    A:     1 Minute if you're below 6,562 ft (2,000m), 3 minutes if you're above 6,562f
  • Q: Does boiling water for 10 minutes sterilize it?
    A:  Yes, but you shouldn't have to boil it for longer than 3 minutes.
  • Q: Will boiling water for 30 minutes achieve sterilization?
    A: Yes, but this is excessive unless you are trying to distill water.
  • Q: What is the quickest way to sterilize water?
    A: In terms of speed, using properly rated filter is probably going to be the fastest, followed by boiling, with chemical treatments and distillation being the slowest.
  • Q: How long should I boil water in the microwave to sterilize it?
    A: The same boiling rule (1 minute below 6,562ft, 3 minutes above) applies to the microwave, however, this can be potentially dangerous. Microwaves can heat water to boiling temperature without appearing to boil. Leaving the water in the microwave for too long can cause it to become superheated and explode violently into steam. It is much safer, and more accurate to boil water by other means so you can safely observe how long the water is boiling.
  • Q: Does boiling water kill bacteria?
    A: Yes. Boiling water will kill bacteria, protozoa, and viruses.
  • Q: Does boiling water make it safe to drink?
    A: Potentially yes. Although boiling water will kill biological agents, it will not remove chemical contaminants or radiation. Boiling does not remove dissolved organic matter, the stuff that makes natural water sources like lakes and rivers appear amber or brown in color, and can make the taste seem different than cleaner water sources.

Final Thoughts

Anyway, don't just take our word for it — listen to the scientists. Here's a direct quote from an article titled “Water Disinfection for International and Wilderness Travelers” from the Oxford Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases:

“Because enteric pathogens are killed within seconds by boiling water and are killed rapidly at temperatures >60°C [or >140°F], the traditional advice to boil water for 10 min to ensure potability is excessive. Because the time required to heat water from a temperature of 55°C [or 131°F] to a boil works toward disinfection, any water that is brought to a boil should be adequately disinfected. Boiling water for 1 min or keeping water covered and then allowing it to cool slowly after boiling can add an extra margin of safety. The boiling point decreases with increasing altitude, but this is not significant when compared with the time required to achieve thermal death at these temperatures.”

Boiling water purification bacteria virus pathogen 2

So, here's the bottom line: Water does not need to be boiled for a minimum of 5, 10, or 20 minutes in order to be considered safe to drink. By the time it reaches a rolling boil, it can be considered safe, regardless of your altitude. (Note: This assumes that no harmful chemicals or heavy metals, such as pesticides or lead, are present. To remove those contaminants, you'll need a water filter/purifier.) However, you may continue to boil for 1 to 3 additional minutes, or combine the methods discussed above for an extra margin of safety — if you've got a few minutes to spare, it won't hurt, but shouldn't be considered mandatory.

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Grayside Hunter: Urban Tracking in the Concrete Jungle

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Tracking is a skill that's often applied to wilderness locations. Hunters use it to follow wild game, search and rescue personnel use it to find lost hikers, and law enforcement personnel use it to track fugitives or human traffickers in remote areas. In previous issues, we wrote about tracking and counter-tracking lessons learned from Greenside Training classes in the forests of northern Michigan and the Arizona desert. Although these wilderness-oriented skills are important, we can't overlook the fact that more than 85% of Americans live in urban or suburban areas. So how does tracking translate to the concrete jungle? This is the question that led Freddy Osuna, former USMC Scout Sniper and founder of Greenside Training, to develop his Grayside Hunter course.

Above: Rain can be helpful or harmful to trackers, depending on the situation. Soft mud makes footprints more pronounced in rural areas, but can wash them away in an urban setting.

Greenside Training Grayside Hunter Course

Osuna recommends students take one of his wilderness tracking courses before moving on to the Grayside Hunter Urban Tracking curriculum. Although it's not considered a “Level 2” class, it builds on many elements of wilderness tracking, and it's undeniable that urban tracking is more challenging (as we would soon learn). As Osuna puts it, “Highly evasive targets exist in highly evasive terrain.” A huge 14-point buck in the forest and a hardened career criminal in the city are both “the professors of their domain.” They've developed a heightened awareness of their surroundings, and they won't stick around for long if something feels out of place. This is the challenge you're up against if you're attempting to track either one without being noticed.

Above: Osuna carries a few tools to make tracks clearer, such as a powerful multi-colored LED light and a green Z-Bolt laser. The latter item was designed to help explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) techs spot tripwires, but he uses it to identify breaks in vegetation.

The course began with a refresher on tracking fundamentals in a rural setting, namely the Sonoran Desert outside Tucson, Arizona. In the wilderness, your target may leave behind spoor (the Dutch word for tracks) in track traps such as patches of mud and soft dirt on trails.

Above: In wilderness settings, disturbances in soil and vegetation are relatively easy to identify for an experienced tracker. These malleable substrates are rarer in urban areas.

For urban areas full of hard concrete and asphalt, these track traps are less common but more significant. For example, a target might cut a corner and leave a footprint in grass near the sidewalk, cross a muddy median, or step into an oil patch left behind by a vehicle, indicating their direction of travel. Pay attention to other disturbances in the natural scenery — just as bird calls can alert us to a target in the forest, dogs barking or nosy neighbors peering over their fences can alert us to targets in the city. Security camera footage may also be obtainable if your social engineering skills are sufficient to convince the camera owner to give it up.

On day two of the Grayside Hunter class, we met in downtown Tucson for an urban tracking exercise. All of the students split up into small teams, since working together is especially valuable in the chaotic and challenging urban environment. We used cell phones and radios to stay in touch, and subdivided our teams into A and B units to cover more ground. Our goal was to track a fictitious criminal, alias Sevryn, who was affiliated with a local drug trafficking network. We knew this bearded mid-40s male would be meeting with contacts throughout the city, and we learned his first meeting was with a younger man in Nike combat boots. One team set off after Sevryn, and the other followed his contact, who we nicknamed Nike.

Although we were able to find a few of the distinctive Nike boot prints on muddy sidewalks and medians, and some transference of that mud onto a nearby lawn, drizzling rain and the nonstop activity of an urban environment soon caused us to lose the trail. We moved in a grid pattern, expanding out in every direction from last known boot print locations, but we couldn't find anything. This is the reality of urban tracking — you won't always be successful, especially when Mother Nature gets in the way.

Thankfully, a piece of intel came in from the other team, directing us to a multi-story parking garage. After surveilling a nearby intersection, we spotted Sevryn entering a restaurant to meet with a blonde woman. Carefully observing the scene through our binoculars, we could see he slid her a cell phone and paid for his drink with a credit card before leaving. The method of payment is potentially traceable by law enforcement, and it indicates he wasn't concerned enough about that fact to pay in cash. We took notes on what we saw and cross-checked it with other observers.

Above: An example of transference. This mud was cast off from a boot as its wearer cut across this lawn.

Lessons Learned

Unless you're a law enforcement officer, you'll probably never need to covertly follow a drug trafficker and his accomplices, but the awareness and observation skills derived from this Grayside Hunter tracking exercise are relevant to anyone who lives in a city. While searching for traces of our fictional bad guy, we noticed signs of real crime and drug activity in the area — broken glass on the ground from car burglaries, gang tags on bus stops, and scraps of aluminum foil coated in black tar heroin residue. If you live in or frequently visit a city, you may never notice these small details, but paying attention to them can help you discern potential threats and danger areas.

Above: Most people wouldn't give this litter a second glance. But a trained observer will recognize the clear signs of drug activity in this area, which should lead to a heightened sense of caution regarding theft and violent crime.

Grayside Hunter was a fun experience, and it exposed us to the challenges of tracking someone through a city. Unlike rural environments, where footprints, matted foliage, and broken twigs are relatively common, urban environments may only offer a single piece of spoor every few blocks. This is why it's so important to work as a team, because five sets of eyes are much better than one. If you're interested in trying your hand at urban tracking, check GreensideTraining.com for upcoming class dates.

Medicinal Herb Garden: Grow Your Own Backyard Pharmacy

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Medicine is one of the most substantial problems the family medic faces if a long-term disaster knocks them off the grid. Even with a decent stockpile accumulated over time, the commercially produced drugs will eventually be expended, leaving even the most skilled provider without some very important tools to help deal with injuries and illnesses. Planting your own medicinal herb garden is the best way to provide alternatives to modern medicines in austere settings. Until pharmaceuticals were produced in factories, people had to grow their own medicine. This practice was a natural part of our heritage and provided needed remedies for many medical issues. A community often had a person who served as an herbalist and supervised the cultivation and processing.

Garlic bulbs growing in a paper bag.

Above: Garlic has antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Growing your own medicinal garden is both rewarding and beneficial. The gardening learning curve can be steep, so don’t wait until the situation becomes critical to get started. Obtain some gardening supplies, assess weather and soil conditions, and figure out what medicinal plants might exist in your own backyard.

DISCLAIMER

This is a general overview and not a comprehensive guide to medicinal gardening. Seek professional medical advice and study potential side-effects carefully before attempting to treat any injury or illness with natural remedies.

Choosing Medicinal Herbs for Your Garden

The medicinal plants you select should match the climate as much as possible. For some, that means that the herbs must survive the winter; for others, the summer heat or dry periods. The Department of Agriculture publishes “Plant Hardiness” maps: These are divided into 10-degee Fahrenheit zones and serve as the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants will do well at a particular location.

Cayenne peppers harvested and displayed on a marble table.

Above: Cayenne pepper can be used in cooking or as a medicine.

Part of the decision-making process is whether to plant annuals or perennials. This may confuse the beginning medicinal gardener. Given that annual is defined in the dictionary as “occurring every year or once a year,” some plant them, expecting new plants every spring. Despite the dictionary entry, when applied to plants, “annual” means completing the entire life cycle in one growing season. Perennial herbs include lavender, mint, thyme, sage, and rosemary. Examples of annuals include basil, dill, and fennel.

Ensuring Success

Once you have identified the plants with medicinal benefits that match up with your zone (and your likely needs), select a well-drained, sunny area with healthy soil. Although some herbs grow well in shade, most plants need at least six to eight hours of full sun for proper growth and development. Potting is appropriate for medicinal plants that might need to be taken inside during a cold winter. Water should be provided on a regular basis to allow the soil to stay moist, but not muddy or waterlogged.

A bag of coconut coir being dumped into a bucket.

Above: Coconut coir can absorb 10 times its weight in water.

Soil in many areas must often be amended for the best results. For a well-draining soil, mix potting soil with perlite and peat moss or coconut coir. Perlite is a white granular material that’s lightweight, sterile, and easy to handle. It’s neither alkaline nor acidic. Perlite absorbs water, but it also improves drainage. Coconut coir is the material between the outer shell of the coconut and the inner shell. You might have seen it as the liner for many hanging flower baskets. It’s inexpensive, reusable, available in compressed bales, and holds up to 10 times its weight in water. It helps provide good aeration when mixed with water and native soil. Plus, like perlite, it’s pH neutral. Coconut coir also helps resist a number of insects and diseases. On top of your mix, place some mulch or pine straw to hold in moisture and reduce weeds.

Composting

Composting is an excellent way to enrich your soil. Compost improves the soil by helping it retain more moisture and allow for more air flow. It also provides nutrients for plant growth. Gardeners make compost with grass clippings, leaves, shredded paper, kitchen waste like uncooked vegetable and fruit peels, and other organic matter.

Sweet potatoes being cleaned off after harvesting.

Above: Root crops can be harvested with hoes or trowels.

You’ll need a large container with a lid; some newer commercial composters come in “tumblers” that allow you to periodically turn the compost for more oxygen. Then, put the compost materials in and cover with soil and/or herbivore manure (be aware that dog, cat, or pig poop has a higher chance of containing parasites). Cow manure has the most nutrients. Microbes slowly degrade the container contents into nutrient-rich compost.

Adding some red worms will speed up the process. The worms will eat the plant matter and poop “worm castings.” Worm castings are organic matter that contains a mixture of bacteria, enzymes, remnants of plant matter, and other substances. They help prevent the soil from becoming too acidic or too alkaline.

A bag of chamomile flowers with some of the flowers displayed on a bench.

Above: Chamomile flowers are used in teas as a sleep aid and to relieve muscle tension.

For organic pest and disease control, consider putting together a soapy mixture of one tablespoon of neem oil, one teaspoon of Dr. Bronner’s lavender, peppermint Castile soap, and perhaps a few drops of tea tree essential oil in about four to eight cups of water. The combination makes a great natural disease and pest control. As a preventative, spray foliage in the late afternoon every five to seven days or after a heavy rain. Shorter intervals are acceptable if current diseases or pests are being treated.

You may be able to grow warmer climate plants by protecting them from the cold with greenhouses or using row covers. This will expand the range of medicinal plants you may choose to grow either in pots or around your homestead.

Seeds and Cuttings

Now you can sow your seeds. Different plant seeds are placed at different depths of the soil. Usually, it’s better to plant too shallow than too deep. Some, like certain lettuces, aren’t buried at all. A good general strategy is to plant seeds at a depth which equals two to three times their width. A layer of mulch can help maintain even moisture levels in dry conditions. Make sure to read the seed packet for specifics.

Photo of a woman planting herbs in a flower pot.

Above: Herbs like rosemary are simple to plant and grow.

Some herbs like mint and comfrey rarely produce viable seed, so “cuttings” are another option. A cutting is a section of plant originating from stem, leaf, or root that’s capable of developing into a new plant. This strategy involves placing the section in water or some other growing medium until roots develop. You’ll need sharp scissors or a razor blade, a healthy mother plant, a soilless potting mix, some rooting hormone, and small (4 inch or so) containers. Soilless mixes like perlite, vermiculite, sand, and coconut coir are used because they have less microbes that inhibit root growth. Water can be used instead of a mix, although planting afterward seems less successful than with mixes.

Cuttings taken from new, green, non-woody stems make for easier rooting. Look for a stem with a bump somewhere near a leaf attachment. This is the area from which new roots will emerge. Use clean scissors or a razor blade dipped in alcohol and cut at a 45-degree angle just below the leaf attachment, sometimes called a “node.” The cutting should be a few inches long and contain a leaf or two plus the node. Although a leaf is necessary for photosynthesis, too many or a leaf that’s too large will take away energy from root creation. If the leaf is large, cut off a portion from the end.

Photo of a patio garden.

Above: Herbs do just fine in pots and containers.

Your chances of success might be higher with rooting hormone. Rooting hormone stimulates the formation of new roots. Dip the node into some water and then into the rooting hormone. Tap off excess; too much actually decreases the success rate. Use a stick to make a hole slightly wider than the cutting. This will prevent rooting hormone from being knocked off the plant. Firm the soil around the cutting to stabilize it.

Place the whole thing into a plastic bag. This keeps the humidity high and holds in heat. Air is important, however, so don’t seal the bag completely. Keep in a warm area with a little light, but full sunlight isn’t necessary until new leaves form. Watch for two to three weeks, discarding any failed rootings. After this, a gentle tug on the plant should show some resistance, a sign that rooting has occurred. At this point, you have a new living plant.

Photo of soil mix and flower pots.

Above: The right soil mix and tools lead to a successful herb garden.

Useful Herbs for the Garden

Here’s a list of medicinal plants you may consider growing, as well as their benefits and the most commonly used part of the plant:

  • Aloe Vera: The gel from the leaf is used to heal and soothe rashes, burns, and cuts.
  • Arnica: Flowers and rhizomes (underground stems) are utilized in very dilute concentrations in ointments or salves for joint and muscle pain.
  • Calendula: The flowers are used fresh or dried and made into teas, creams, and salves. Calendula may relieve intestinal cramps, minor burns, rashes, eye infections, and decrease the severity of some viral infections.
  • Cayenne Pepper: The pepper itself is used dried and powdered, infused in oil, or mixed in a salve or cream. Good externally for arthritic pain as a salve. Applying cayenne powder directly on a wound may help stop mild bleeding.

Photo of pre-grown herbs displayed on a store shelf.

Above: Different herbs fail or succeed depending on plant hardiness.

  • Chamomile: The flowers are used in teas, salves, and creams. The tea is known to be relaxing and is used to relieve muscle tension and cramps. It also helps with insomnia, calms an upset stomach, and may also reduce joint inflammation.
  • Echinacea: The flowers and roots are used to produce teas or incorporated into capsules. It is known to have immune stimulating effects and may help reduce allergies such as hay fever.
  • Elder: Tea or syrup made of the flowering tops are good for coughs, colds, flu, and reducing allergies.
  • Feverfew: The fresh or dried leaves and flowers are used to help treat or prevent migraine headaches and also reduce fevers. This herb may also help with arthritic conditions.
  • Garlic: The fresh cloves are used (crushed) to make a tea, tincture, syrup, or capsules. Garlic may help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, thin the blood to help protect against blood clots, and lower blood sugar levels. It has antibacterial and antiviral properties, which makes it useful for treating both digestive and respiratory infections.
  • Ginger: The rhizomes are used to make a tea, essential oil, capsule, or tincture. Ginger is excellent for use in digestive disorders. It can help relieve both morning sickness and motion sickness.
  • Ginseng: The roots are used to make a tea, tincture, or incorporated into capsules. It is used to reduce the effects of physical and mental stress. It stimulates the immune system to help the body fight viruses and bacterial infections.

Photo of a variety of seed packets.

Above: Pick the herbs most likely to thrive in your area.

  • Goldenseal: The rhizomes are used to produce an eye wash for infections, as a mouthwash for swollen or infected gums, or as an external treatment for psoriasis.
  • Lavender: The fresh or dried flowers are used to produce a tea, tincture, infusion, or essential oil. It calms nervous conditions, relieves muscle or intestinal cramps, and loosens tight airways. Applied externally, it is an antiseptic for open wounds and mild burns. It relieves itching and inflammation, and can be used to relieve bug bites and rashes.
  • Lemon Balm: The fresh or dried aerial parts are used to produce a juice, tea, or salve. It can alleviate nervous conditions, abdominal cramps, and muscle aches.
  • Peppermint: The fresh or dried aerial parts are used to make a tea, capsules, and essential oil. The tea is helpful for intestinal spasms and may reduce gas, cramps, and diarrhea. As a diluted essential oil, it helps relieve headaches and migraines when a small amount is gently massaged into the temples.
  • Rosemary: The fresh or dried leaves are used to produce a tea, tincture, or essential oil. The tea or tincture can help reduce stress and relieve headaches. Applied as a diluted oil, it may relieve muscle or joint pain.
  • Sage: The fresh or dried leaves are used to make a tea or tincture. Fresh leaves are sometimes crushed and applied directly to the skin for the relief of stings and bug bites. The tea is good to relieve a sore throat, canker sores, or sore gums when used as a gargle.

Photo of aloe vera growing in a container.

Above: Burn remedy aloe vera is most easily propagated by separating out its “pups.”

  • Senna: The fresh or dried pods are used commonly in a tea to treat constipation.
  • St. John’s Wort: The fresh or dried flowering tops are used to make a tea, tincture, cream, or infused oil. Most commonly said to be a relaxant and helpful for depression, premenstrual syndrome, and menopausal symptoms.
  • Thyme: The fresh or dried aerial parts are used to produce a tea, tincture, syrup, and essential oil. The tea or syrup may be helpful for use in treating colds and flu.
  • Turmeric: The fresh or dried rhizome is used in a tea, tincture, poultice, or powder. It is said to have a strong anti-inflammatory action, and may help with asthma, arthritis, stomach cramps, and eczema. Externally, it is useful in treating fungal infections, psoriasis, and other itchy rashes.
  • Valerian: The roots and rhizomes are used to produce a tea, tincture, or powder. It has a sedative effect and is commonly used to reduce stress, induce relaxation, and help with insomnia.
  • Witch Hazel: An alcohol infusion of the bark is used as an astringent to reduce hemorrhoids. It can also stop itching from insect stings.
  • Yarrow: Fresh or dried aerial parts are used to make a tea, tincture, essential oil, or a poultice to heal wounds. Some claim that it reduces bleeding from wounds.

Harvesting

Each plant is different, and when to harvest even depends on the part of the plant involved. Flowers are harvested when they open but before they are pollinated. In general, flowers should be harvested on dry days before the intense heat of the sun removes the fragrance from the petals, but after the morning dew has dried.

Photo of a handful of perlite.

Above: Perlite improves soil aeration and drainage.

It’s preferable to take just the amount of plant material you’re ready to process for use or storage. Otherwise, rapid deterioration could occur and degrade the medicinal benefit of the herbs. Herbs can be preserved by air- or oven-drying, and then stored in a sterile dark glass jar with airtight lids. For the longest shelf life of about 12 months, make sure conditions are cool, dry, and dark. Vacuum sealing the jar helps.

Gardening Tools

Just like any off-grid activity, the right tools make life easier and increase your chances of success. Consider these items:

  • Shovels: Shovels have a long shaft and a concave, angled tip for scooping up material and breaking up soil.
  • Spades: Spades look similar to shovels but tend to have a shorter shaft and a flat, rectangular blade to slice through roots and into dirt.
  • Shears: Garden shears cut small branches, stems, and other plant growth.
  • Rakes: Rakes are tined instruments that clear leaves, weeds, and other garden waste, and help with sowing.
  • Hoes: Either long-handled or handheld, hoes help turn and clear soil, remove weeds, and harvest root crops.
  • Pitchforks: Two- to five-tined pitchforks help you lift and pitch garden materials like manure and hay.

Home gardening tools: overhead view of green gardening equipment isolated on white background. A pot with ivy plant complete the composition.

  • Trowels: Trowels look like tiny shovels and are handheld tools to help plant, transplant or dig.
  • Wheelbarrows: A cart with sloped sides and a single front wheel, wheelbarrows allow you to haul around significant amounts of soil, compost, and other garden materials. Other garden carts may have two or more wheels.
  • Hoses, nozzles, and hose reels: Hoses deliver water where it’s needed; reels allow you to neatly wind up and store your hose. Nozzles let you change pressure and shape of the spray.
  • Watering cans: Portable containers with a long spout that move small amounts of water.
  • Gardening gloves: Gloves are important to keep your hands protected and clean while working in the garden.

Multipurpose Plants

Many herbs bestow multiple benefits to the gardener. Take the herb known as thyme, a low-growing herb often used in cooking. In addition, it:

  • Acts as a ground cover to suppress weeds and keep the soil moist.
  • Produces flowers that attract pollinators.
  • Has edible leaves.
  • Is useful in teas for sore throats, colds, and flus.
  • Serves to naturally deter pests due to its aroma.bundle of raw fresh organic thyme on sackcloth

Of course, the strength of a medicinal herb depends on climate, soil conditions, and other factors. Like vintages of wine, each year may yield higher or lower quality of effect. In addition, many have risks if used in pregnancy or in those with certain medical conditions, especially those requiring blood-thinners.

There’s a lot more to putting together an effective medicinal garden when the medications run out. Diligently research the data on each herb and decide which will do well in your area and meet your medical needs. Don’t delay: The last thing you want is to go through the gardening learning curve after you’re thrown off the grid.

About the Author

Joe Alton, MD, is a physician, medical preparedness advocate, and New York Times bestselling author of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Help Is Not On The Way, now in its 700-page 4th edition. He is also an outdoor enthusiast and member of The Wilderness Medical Society. His website at doomandbloom.net has over 1,300 articles, podcasts, and videos on medical preparedness as well as an entire line of quality medical kits designed by the author and packed in the United States.

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New: Armasight Ultimate Night Vision Kit

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Piecing together your first night vision setup can be a daunting task. You'll need a helmet, shroud, mount, the night vision system itself, and a way to carry and store the gear securely. You'll also need to source these items from reputable companies, understand the key specifications, and make sure they're all compatible with each other. Armasight has made the process much easier by introducing a new package called the Ultimate Night Vision Kit. This kit brings together a bunch of top-notch components from Armasight and other well-known companies such as Elbit, Team Wendy, Wilcox, and OTTE Gear.

Check out the video below for an overview of the Armasight Ultimate Night Vision Kit:

Ultimate Night Vision Kit Contents

This Ultimate Kit is like a ready-to-go pack for seeing in the dark, featuring your choice of a PVS-14 monocular, BNVD-40, or BNVD-51 goggles — all with Gen 3 white phosphor tubes from Elbit Systems. Various tube grades are available for those who want the clearest image and highest FOM rating possible. There's also a thermal hybrid option, which allows you to pair an Armasight Sidekick 320 or 640 thermal monocular alongside an MNVD-51 or PVS-14 night vision monocular.

Photo of Armasight night vision optics mounted to a Team Wendy helmet.

Each night vision kit comes with an Armasight Gray Team Wendy helmet, a special gray Armasight G95 Mount made by Wilcox Industries, a Watchman IR Illuminator to light things up, and a custom OTTE Gear helmet bag, also in the signature Armasight Gray.

Depending on the package you select, there are included accessories such as a Rayvn Rail + 2 PODs bridge for Sidekick thermal systems, a 30mm Ring Mount for NV systems, and a Battery Pack for BNVD-40 and 51 systems. All of these kits will be available from Armasight’s website as well as select dealers.

See Through the Dark

The main idea behind this bundle is to make it as simple as possible for anyone to get their hands on a ready-to-use, high-quality night vision setup. All kits are backed by a 3-year warranty from Armasight. Pricing ranges from $6,399 for a PVS-14 monocular kit to $9,999 for a BNVD-51 dual-tube kit.

Photo of Armasight's line of night vision optics in front of a Team Wendy helmet.

Whether you're interested in shooting, hiking, or simply stargazing after nightfall, this kit from Armasight is an appealing option. It cuts out the hassle of buying components separately, and ensures you get everything you need at the same time with a single warranty.

We've already spent some time testing the Armasight Ultimate Night Vision Kit, so keep an eye out for our full review in Issue 58 of OFFGRID — coming soon.

URL: armasight.com

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Durable Phone Cases: Armor for Your Phone

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We recently completed a top-down review of the ruggedized Juggernaut durable phone cases and mounting ecosystem, published in Issue 53. Shortly after that article was complete, Juggernaut announced they’d be releasing a new, expanded line of phone cases and mounts. Good news up front: Both cases and mounts are backward compatible. If you have a legacy mount, all the new cases will still fit in those mounts. Likewise, if you purchase one of their new-generation mounts, your existing phone case will fit into it without problems.

The outgoing IMPCT and SLEEV cases, pictured here, offered two levels of protection; the new ENDVR, ADVNTR, and OPRTR families provide three levels to choose from.

Above: The outgoing IMPCT and SLEEV cases, pictured here, offered two levels of protection; the new ENDVR, ADVNTR, and OPRTR families provide three levels to choose from.

Previously, there were two Juggernaut phone cases: the IMPCT and the SLEEV. The IMPCT was their “medium-to-hard” use case, with the SLEEV being up-armored even further for extra-rough handling, and optimization for Juggernaut’s line of power and data transfer cables. Their new line has expanded to include three case options, instead of two, to cover a wider range of use-cases.

Juggernaut Case Everyday ENDVR

At the more casual end of the spectrum is their ENDVR case. The ENDVR is a front-load “snap on” case. Simply press the phone down into the corners of the case until it stretches and snaps down over the body of your phone. This is how most commercial phone cases work, but that’s pretty much where the similarities end.

Juggernaut’s new ENDVR case is slim and lightweight enough for everyday carry but is still compatible with the company’s existing belt clips, vehicle mounts, and other attachments.

Above: Juggernaut’s new ENDVR case is slim and lightweight enough for everyday carry but is still compatible with the company’s existing belt clips, vehicle mounts, and other attachments.

Optimized for EDC and weekend warrior adventures, the ENDVR doesn’t feature a port sealing mechanism like its counterparts. It does, however, still lock into Juggernaut mounts. Whether you want a belt clip for your work pants, a PALS pack adapter for your weekend trail pack, or a vehicle mount for road trips, the ENDVR will still fit securely into any existing Juggernaut mounting interface — with one caveat. The ENDVR’s design is so sleek that you’ll need to go down one mount size.

The Juggernaut ADVNTR (left) and OPRTR (right) are top-loading designs with seals for the ports on the base of the phone. The OPRTR’s seal locks securely into place with two thumb screws.

Above: The Juggernaut ADVNTR (left) and OPRTR (right) are top-loading designs with seals for the ports on the base of the phone. The OPRTR’s seal locks securely into place with two thumb screws.

The sample phones used here are a Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra. If I load the standard S22 into an ADVNTR or OPRTR case, it’ll need a medium-sized mount to ride in. But the same phone loaded into an ENDVR case, will use a small-sized mount. Fortunately, Juggernaut marks both their mounts and cases with size icons, and all of the new cases are explicitly labeled with the required mount size for that case. If you plan on switching your phone in and out of the different cases, using different case models for work and personal phones, or have family members or coworkers using different-sized cases than you, you’ll have to bear that in mind as you shop for corresponding mounts. But this difference only applies to the ENDVR.

Extreme ADVNTR and Tactical OPRTR

The larger ADVNTR and OPRTR cases are similar in form factor. Both are top-load cases, as opposed to snap on, with a hinged top cover. They both feature a port-sealing mechanism on the bottom. The ADVNTR seals with a pop-off rubber gasket, while the beefier OPRTR has a larger, buffered bottom plate that secures into the case with two screws. Either one can be completely removed from the rest of the case and stowed if not needed for daily use.

The Juggernaut Case ADVNTR offers more protection than the ENDVR, with a top-loading, slide-in design and removable rubber seal for the ports at the base of the phone.

Above: The Juggernaut Case ADVNTR offers more protection than the ENDVR, with a top-loading, slide-in design and removable rubber seal for the ports at the base of the phone.

The ADVNTR and Operator both feature more material built up around the edge of the screen, creating a deeper offset for the phone. This is good news if you’re prone to dropping your phone on its face, when that offset could save you from a cracked screen. Aside from that, the OPRTR appears to be an even-more-up-armored version of the ADVNTR, slightly taller with more material all around.

The OPRTR is Juggernaut’s professional-grade model, with a heavy-duty top latch, thicker material on all four corners, and compatibility with Juggernaut Quick Disconnect cables and charging cradles that screw into the case.

Above: The OPRTR is Juggernaut’s professional-grade model, with a heavy-duty top latch, thicker material on all four corners, and compatibility with Juggernaut Quick Disconnect cables and charging cradles that screw into the case.

Our sample S22 did require more effort to load into the OPRTR than the ADVNTR, which indicates the use of additional shock-absorbing foam on the interior of the case. But make no mistake, both of these cases are fit for duty with law enforcement or military units. Also, the ADVNTR and OPRTR use the same size mounts — in our case, they both used medium mounts for the S22 and XL mounts for the S22 Ultra.

Design Improvements

We were big fans of the previous-gen IMPCT Juggernaut phone cases, with our editorial staff making extensive use of them in the field, and the new lines offer some distinct improvements. In addition to scalability of protection level, all three of the new case models make more extensive use of texturing and rubberized grip material around the edges of the case. We did notice that, on the older cases, as increased wear smoothed out the untextured plastic edges, our phones became a little more prone to slippage and drops.

The Armband Mount is made from stretchy Lycra with a topo-pattern grip material on the inside to reduce slipping.

Above: The Armband Mount is made from stretchy Lycra with a topo-pattern grip material on the inside to reduce slipping.

Not so with any of the new case models. There’s also the SHLD screen protector (not shown here) available. In addition to the additional protection for your screen, the SHLD is available in blue light blocking and privacy-protection variants.

There’s also more attention to detail in design aesthetic. The large military-style labels have been moved from the outside to the inside of the case, which also feature subtle artwork resembling topographical lines on a map. The inside of each case also features a cheeky one-liner or movie quote. You’ll only see it once, when you load your phone into the case, but they’re good for a quick chuckle, and the combination of colors and quotes adds a degree of uniqueness and collectability to an otherwise utilitarian product.

The Forearm Mount features a ratcheting BOA dial for micro adjustment, ensuring it fits the wearer securely. 

Above: The Forearm Mount features a ratcheting BOA dial for micro adjustment, ensuring it fits the wearer securely. 

Speaking of colors, there are some additional options in that realm as well. The ADVNTR and OPRTR are available in black, FDE, OD green, and Gunmetal Gray. The more urbanized ENDVR case is available in black, Stone Green, Gunmetal Gray, and a lighter limited-edition Tundra Gray. Pricing, like protection level, is scaled to the individual cases: $65 for the ENDVR, $80 for the ADVNTR, and $145 for the OPRTR. The SHLD screen protector is an additional $50 to $60 depending on model. Even maxing out the prices, you’re still looking at just over $200 to not only protect your smartphone to the level of literal battlefield use, but also capitalize on the wide array of mounting and carriage options that can be integrated into almost any imaginable use case — from belt clips and dashboard docks to skydiving harnesses and body armor.

At time of writing, these new case lines have only been released for Samsung Galaxy S22 phones, with limited availability for S22 Plus and Ultra models. Juggernaut has told us that iPhone 14 models are coming soon.

Source

URL: juggernautcase.com

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Back to School: Survival Skills Certification Key Takeaways

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In the majestic Santa Cruz Mountains, under the canopy of ancient redwoods at Redwood Glen Camp, we were able to attend Coyne Survival School Survival Skills Certification course. It was a healthy blend of wilderness survival basics intertwined with life saving first aid knowledge. Everyone who attended not only leveled up their survival game, but walked away with a Red Cross Wilderness First Aid certification. Here's how to blend know-how and practicality with a dash of intuition when you're stepping away from the comfort of civilization.

The Bow Drill

Ah, the bow drill—a primitive yet effective way to spark a fire when you're out in the wild. Picture this: you're surrounded by nature's grandeur, and all you've got are your wits and whatever you can find in your surroundings. No fancy lighters or waterproof matches here. The bow drill is all about mastering the art of friction to ignite that life-giving flame.

Adam Mayfield of Coyne Survival School uses a bow drill to start a fire.

Above: Instructor Adam Mayfield demonstrates how to produce a friction fire by using a bow drill.

To create fire with nothing but friction, you'll need the right materials. Components are the easy part: all that is required is a bow, a spindle, a fireboard, and a bearing block. For the bow, a slightly curved, sturdy stick about arm's length will do. The spindle should be a straight, dry stick, roughly thumb-thick and about as long as your hand. Your fireboard can be a flat piece of wood, and the bearing block can be another piece of wood or even a stone with a depression for the spindle to sit in. To turn the spindle, a cord is strung to the bow and wrapped around the center of the spindle. It's held in place between the fireboard and bearing block and rotated quickly by pushing and pulling the bow back and forth.

The instructor for Coyne Survival School Survival Skills Certification blows on an ember started with a bow drill.

Above: Once a glowing ember is placed in a tinder bundle, it must be supplied with a gentle flow of oxygen to ignite into flame.

The trickiest part is finding the materials for the spindle and fireboard, because as the two rub against each other, they create an ignitable charred powder. Some woods produce this powder better than others. Unfortunately, we had primarily redwood for materials, and the tannins in the wood make them naturally fire resistant. That didn't stop several of us from getting a fire going though, albeit with a little extra effort. Once enough charred powder is produced, the heat should eventually light into a smoldering ember. This ember is transferred gently to a tinder bundle and coaxed into a flame that can be used to get your campfire roaring.

Go Slow to Go Far

This isn't just a catchy phrase, it's a survival mantra. When you're out in the wild, especially in a group, the pace can make or break your journey. The slowest member sets the speed, and that's not just being polite—it's strategic. In survival situations, pushing too hard can lead to exhaustion, dehydration, or even injury. On top of that, nobody wants to deal with a sprained ankle miles away from the nearest trailhead due to trying to impress others in your group with how fast you can go.

Collection of ferro rods used by students at Coynes Survival Schools Survival Skills Certification course.

Above: Ferro rods come in in all shapes and sizes, but their function is the same; scrape and create sparks.

Weather is another factor that can turn on you like a dime. One minute it's sunny, and the next, you're caught in a downpour or a sudden temperature drop. In such conditions, rushing can lead to mistakes, and mistakes can be costly. For instance, in hot weather, moving too fast can lead to heat exhaustion or worse, heat stroke. In cold conditions, you risk hypothermia if you sweat too much and then get chilled.

Keep an eye on everyone's condition. Make regular stops to hydrate, snack, and check for signs of fatigue or discomfort. If someone's lagging, don't view it as a hindrance; see it as a natural speed limit that's keeping everyone safer. Adapt your pace, keep tabs on the weather, and remember: it's a marathon, not a sprint. You're out there to enjoy nature and make it back in one piece, not set a land-speed record.

Avoiding Exposure

When you're out in the wild, your body's internal thermostat is your best friend and worst enemy. Trouble occurs when your body can no longer thermoregulate its core temperature and succumbs to one of the two extremes: hypothermia and hyperthermia.

Adam and Amy demonstrate how to warm up to prevent hypothermia.

Above: Instructors Adam and Amy demonstrate the sitting position used to combat hypothermia.

Hypothermia is when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing your core temperature to drop dangerously low. It's not just a winter thing, you can get hypothermia in relatively mild conditions if you're wet and exposed to wind. Signs to look out for include shivering, confusion, and a gradual loss of motor skills. If you or someone in your group starts showing these symptoms, it's time to act. Get to shelter, change into dry clothes, and warm up with warm drinks and high-energy foods.

Adam and Amy of Coyne Survival School demonstrate how to warm up to prevent hypothermia.

Above: Utilizing thermal blankets and leveraging the heat our bodies radiate naturally can help reverse the effects of hypothermia.

Hyperthermia, on the other hand, is the opposite problem. This happens when your body overheats, usually due to excessive physical exertion in hot conditions. Symptoms include heavy sweating followed by a lack of sweat, rapid pulse, and disorientation. Immediate steps include finding shade, hydrating with water and electrolytes, and cooling down the body by any means possible—for example, applying a wet cloth or even taking a dip in a stream if it's safe.

The key to managing both is to focus on the areas where your body's major veins (the vessels that carry blood back to the heart) come close to the surface of your skin: the neck, armpits, and groin. These are your body's natural thermostats. Cooling or warming these areas can help regulate your core temperature more efficiently. And if you're using hand warmers, wrap them in cloth to avoid contact burns.

Surviving the Scene

Survival isn't just about gear and know-how, it's also about mindset. Emergencies are rarely penciled into your calendar, and they usually happen due to a combination of factors like faulty gear, overestimating your skills, or just plain not knowing what you're doing. So, how do you “crack the code” to survive the scene?

First, self-assessment. Take a moment to assess your situation. Are you lost? Injured? Low on supplies? Knowing your status helps you prioritize your next steps. If you're lost, your first move might be to find a vantage point for better orientation. If you're injured, immediate first aid is your priority.

Adam and a student using an improvised litter technique to move a simulated patient from one point to another.

Above: Students at the Survival Skills Certification course use improvised litters to move patients with mock injuries from one point to another.

Next, adaptability. Nature is unpredictable, and your initial plans may not always pan out. Maybe the trail is blocked, or perhaps a sudden storm rolls in. Being able to adapt to changing conditions is crucial. This could mean setting up an impromptu shelter or finding an alternative route.

Resourcefulness is another key. Use what you have, but also use what you find. A broken backpack strap could be repurposed as a tourniquet, or a lens from your sunglasses could be used to start a fire.

Lastly, breathing. It might sound trivial, but controlled breathing can help reduce stress, override the amygdala—the part of your brain that governs emotional responses like fear and panic—and improve decision-making.

Sending the Right Signals

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to be rescued, effective signaling is crucial. The universal distress signal is a series of three of anything—three whistle blasts, three fires, three rock piles, and so on. But to really draw a searchers attention, using a series of the large contrasting triangles could be a real game changer.

Students at Coyne Survival School build a signal triangle to attract searchers.

Above: A series of three large triangles help attract the attention of both air and ground searchers to your location.

Why triangles? Because they're an uncommon shape in nature and easily catch the eye. Create three large triangles on the ground using materials that contrast with the natural surroundings. Think dark rocks on a sandy beach or logs on a snowy field. Make them big, at least several feet across, and space them out so they're easily visible from the air or a distance. Things like brightly colored flagging tape or strips of reflective emergency shelter material can be used to enhance the visual attractiveness of these types of signals.

If you have a mirror or any reflective surface, use it to catch the sun and aim the reflection toward searchers. The glint can be seen for miles and is another effective way to signal for help.

Adam Mayfield demonstrating the use of a signal mirror at Coyne Survival Schools Survival Certification Course.

Above: Once you find the reflected light from your signal mirror, using your fingers as a sight can help you aim where the light is being directed.

And don't forget about sound signals. Three loud, short blasts on a whistle can carry over long distances, depending on surrounding vegetation and topography, and are a universally recognized distress signal. In some places, three blasts could be mistaken for bird calls, and if you think you are competing with the local wildlife, one long continuous blast will definitely stand out to searchers. If you don't have a whistle, banging rocks or sticks together can also work.

Hydration

Hydration is more than just guzzling down water like there's no tomorrow. In fact, overhydration can lead to a condition called hyponatremia, where your body's sodium levels get dangerously low. So, how do you strike the right balance?

Firstly, quality over quantity. The water you consume should be clean and free from contaminants. Always carry a reliable water filter that has been independently tested and proven to remove bacteria and parasites. Be advised though, many off-the-shelf water filters will not eliminate viruses such as hepatitis A. If you don't have a filter, boiling water is the next best option, and is preferable if you're worried about viruses. Try to source your H2O from moving water, and look for places where the water is being agitated. Fast-moving water won't be free of waterborne pathogens, but it'll be a little less risky than scooping up stagnant water. This is because protozoa clump together, and the agitation of water flowing over rocks or logs can break those clumps up and could possibly reduce the volume of harmful microbes you have to filter or consume.

Instructor Amy filling water from a swift moving stream.

Above: Instructor Amy shows us a preferred location to collect water from a moving stream.

Electrolytes are extremely important for healthy body function. These are minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium that help regulate your body's fluid balance, and are responsible for your neurons communicating with each other. Consider adding an electrolyte tablet to your water every third liter, or munch on some electrolyte-rich foods like bananas or nuts.

Pacing is crucial. Don't just chug water when you're feeling parched; sip it consistently throughout your journey. This helps maintain a steady level of hydration and reduces the risk of both dehydration and overhydration.

Monitor Your Output. The color of your urine is a good indicator of your hydration level. Aim for a light yellow color; dark yellow or brown indicates dehydration, while completely clear could mean you're overhydrated.

Shelter: Debris A-Frame

When it comes to survival shelters, the Debris A-Frame is a classic. It's relatively easy to build and provides good insulation, making it a solid choice for both warm and cold climates.

First, location is key. Look for a spot that's flat and free from water runoff. Avoid areas near dead trees or large limbs—known as “widow-makers”—that could fall and cause injury.

Adam and Amy constructing an A-frame debris shelter.

Above: After creating a “mattress” of debris from the forest floor, the A-Frame and spine is constructed directly over the top.

Materials are important, and you want to choose pieces that won't break or crumble because of rot or insect occupation. Start by creating the “A” of the A-frame with branches that will cross at roughly collar bone height. You'll need a long, sturdy ridgepole for the “spine” of your A-frame. Lean smaller sticks against it to form the “ribs,” and then pile leaves, needles and twigs from the ground to create insulation. The thicker the debris, the better the insulation. Packing the insulation tight and thick enough to prevent you from seeing light from the inside of the shelter could indicate that it has good water resistance from precipitation. Don't forget about the ground. Even with a solid roof over your head, you can lose a lot of body heat through the ground. Lay down a thick layer of leaves or pine needles to serve as a natural mattress.

Students help pack insulation along the walls of an A-frame debris shelter.

Above: Debris is collected, compressed, and stacked along the ribs of the shelter, effectively creating insulated walls.

Consider digging a small trench about 18 inches away from the entrance of your shelter. This can serve as a fire pit, providing both warmth and a cooking area. Just make sure it's well-ventilated and far enough from the shelter to prevent accidental fires. Having a small entrance to conserve heat is also a great shelter upgrade to consider. You can use additional debris, a piece of clothing, or even a makeshift door made from branches to cover the opening when you're inside.

Instructors at Coyne Survival Schools Survival Skills Certification course get comfortable in a partial constructed A-frame debris shelter.

Above: Ideally, there shouldn't be too much space between your body, and the walls of the shelter.

Wilderness First Aid

When you're out in the wild, you're the first responder. There's no 911 to call, no ambulance coming to your rescue. You've got to rely on your skills, your gear, and your judgment to stabilize injuries, mitigate exposure, and initiate extrication if needed.

Instructor Adam Mayfield performing a casualty assessment at Coyne Survival Schools Survival Skills Certificaiton.

Above: Using both hands during a symmetrical patient assessment will help the assessor determine if something is wrong with either side of the body.

If you have the ability to do so, document every detail. Not only will the information be incredibly useful when the patient reaches the next level of care, but it can also protect you from liability. If you're dealing with an injury or illness, jot down the symptoms, the time they started, and any actions you've taken. This is where the SOAP acronym comes in handy:

  • Subjective: What is the patient feeling? Are they in pain, dizzy, nauseous? This is the patient's account of their condition.
  • Objective: These are your measurable observations. Is there swelling, a cut, or a rash? Are they breathing heavily or showing signs of dehydration? What is their heart rate?
  • Assessment: Based on the subjective and objective information, what's your diagnosis? Is it a sprain, heat exhaustion, or something more serious?
  • Plan: What are you going to do about it? This could range from applying a bandage or splint to deciding that immediate evacuation is necessary. When in doubt, splint!

Students creating an improvised leg splint.

Above: Supplies are limited during a wilderness emergency, and you must find a way to improvise care with what you have, and what you can find from your surroundings.

The foundation of a first aid kit should start with enough gauze, sports tape and ace bandages to handle the amount of people in your group. It can be built out from their depending on every individual's needs with things like medication or epi-pens.

Before you dive into treatment, assess the situation. Is it safe to approach? Are there immediate dangers like fire, falling rocks, or aggressive animals? Check the patient's airway, breathing, circulation, deformities, and environment (ABCDE) to manage the most immediate needs.

Adam Mayfield using a water bottle to to rinse a wound clean.

Above: The cap of a water bottle can be perforated to create an improvised wound irrigation device.

Once you've stabilized the immediate situation, you need to decide on your next steps. Can the injured person be safely moved? Do you need to set up a temporary shelter and wait for rescue? Or is it a situation where you need to signal for emergency evacuation? Remember, in wilderness first aid, you're not just treating the injury, you're managing the scene. Your actions should aim to stabilize the patient while also considering the logistics of getting them to more advanced medical care.

Summary

There are many dangers one may face when venturing out into the wilderness, but these are not so different from the dangers faced when venturing out to go to work, shopping or anywhere other than the safety of your home. Fortunately, by simply learning a few skills, these dangers can be mitigated, or even eliminated entirely. Attending classes like these are useful no matter what your skill level is. From novice to expert, we can all benefit by practicing new skills and refreshing old ones. Coyne Survival School is located in California, and learning what their courses have to offer could be the difference between life or death the next time you find yourself far from modern amenities.

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