Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Camping & Outdoor Survival Guide. Bryan Lynch

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СКАЧАТЬ knife that is capable of digging, cutting, prying, chopping, etc. A survival knife is supposed to do it all because it will most likely be the only tool available.

      By my own definition, a Swiss Army Knife is not really a survival knife or a bushcraft knife. Rather, a Swiss Army Knife combines the characteristics of both. However, given the option, if I could have only one tool in a survival situation, I would choose a Swiss Army Knife over a large fixed blade. That is because a Swiss Army Knife can complete more tasks while being safer and saving energy. It will be able to complete finer detail work that is needed in making certain tools and repairing gear.

       “For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive . . . he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”

      —Jacques-Yves Cousteau

      The Swiss Army Knife is arguably the first multi-tool manufactured and has continued to evolve since its simple yet revolutionary conception. It does not do only one thing extremely well, like a single-purpose tool, and this can be frustrating to some. Instead, multi-tools are light-duty tools designed with many attachments to give the user as many options as possible when a toolbox is not available, and thus they may be prone to misuse. Even though they are light-duty tools, they can still complete tough jobs if used properly.

      Since I have used a Swiss Army Knife for most of my life, I have never believed the current reality-show lies that we only need one knife and it must be capable of chopping down entire trees or building a small village from logs or defending ourselves from some imaginary force. One of the top reasons I am wary of most of these TV “experts” is because they are using knives that are not really meant for outdoor tasks. When it comes to the detailed work that is involved in camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, and emergency tasks, they just don’t work well. A larger fixed blade has its place, but it works best as a complement to a multi-tool such as the Swiss Army Knife. Together, they create a powerhouse of versatility.

      Some of you may read my blog, https://civilizedsurvival.blog/, created to counter the doom-and-gloom culture. I enjoy steering others to good and appropriate tools and techniques through my website, tool reviews, and now this book. My goal was to put a lighter tone to teaching prepping, “old school” skills, DIY projects, natural skills, hunting tips, fishing tips, and emergency preparedness. I don’t want to continue the scare tactics employed by others. Becoming self-reliant should be achieved from the desire to learn and to take care of those you love, not from fear.

      In My Experience

      Around the age of five or six I received my first pocketknife from my dad. It was a used Swiss Army Knife, but I didn’t care that it wasn’t new. I didn’t use it for several days; I wanted to keep it as it was, perfect. Because my dad had given me one of his tools and trusted me with it, I was proud. Having my own tool, it felt like my first rite of passage. In my young mind, I thought I was finally a man!

      The knife became an extension of my body, and I never went anywhere without it. I used it to sharpen sticks, carved letters into pieces of bark, dissected plants, and more. I even tried my hand (unsuccessfully) at whittling. One of my favorite activities was learning how to start fires with the magnifying glass. To my mom’s dismay, many scorch marks found their way onto my shoes and pant legs. After all, I had to test the limits of the greatest tool I had ever owned!

      I’m glad to have been among what was surely the last generation for whom it was widely acceptable for a kid to carry a knife. Without a cell phone or a computer (and with video games still being a bit of a luxury), that knife encouraged me to be outdoors and gave me a sense of responsibility at a young age. That first knife instilled in me a lifelong passion (though some might call it an obsession) to always have a good knife on hand. Now, as a dad myself, I have had the pleasure of watching my kids use a Swiss Army Knife as I did when I was a boy.

      Keeping Your Mind Busy and Your Morale Up

      You could say that every day is a kind of survival situation: busy schedules, meeting critical deadlines, caring for loved ones, juggling home and work life. We can plan to some degree on how to cope with this daily stress. More intense survival or emergency situations away from home can take us by surprise. To prepare for the unexpected in the wild, do what you can now to plan for a happy ending.

      When a very stressful situation or emergency arises, you can easily become overwhelmed: physically, mentally, and emotionally. I am clumsy on a good day, so during an emergency I am probably going to be tripping over myself. Mistakes are easily made when our body and mind are fatigued. It is extremely important to remember to rest and not overwork yourself when you’re facing an emergency situation. On the flip side, being stagnant can be just as dangerous. A friend once told me, “Waiting can be a disease.” When I am slowing down more than I should, I try to remind myself of these things.

      During an emergency, our gadgets may not work, and the batteries certainly won’t last forever. Here are a few things that you can do to stay productive but also relaxed during a stressful situation in the wild.

       “The earth has music for those who listen.”

      —William Shakespeare

      Write It Down

      A writing utensil may not be on most people’s outdoor survival plan radar, but having one can give you a significant advantage. And paper can have a ton of different uses besides just writing on it. Plus, the batteries in your gadgets are not going to last indefinitely, so having something else to do can cure boredom. The SwissChamp comes with a ballpoint pen that can help you clear your mind by writing or even just doodling.

      Besides curing boredom, the most important aspect of having a writing utensil is that it will allow you to document your journey. There are many important things that we may overlook or forget about if we don’t record them—where you have been, for instance. Having eyes on the ground will give you more information than a map will. So recording landmarks or helpful information, such as an old bridge or cabin or game trail, will help if you need to backtrack.

      When we are thrust into situations that take us out of our daily routine, it is easy to become overwhelmed. It’s important to set daily goals in order to keep motivated and to keep the end result in sight. Making lists is a helpful way to slow your mind down, leave yourself reminders, and organize priorities. I love making lists and crossing out the items that I have completed. It’s a morale boost to see that I’ve accomplished something, and it encourages me to stay productive. The feeling of satisfaction is worth a lot in a stressful situation.

      What plans or techniques worked and what didn’t work when you faced trouble in the wild? Write it down. Experience is the best teacher. Usually if I do something once, I remember how to do it. But that is not always the case as I get older. Being able to look back in my journal and see how I started a fire the day before is a good resource to have.

      Speaking of resources, keeping track of resources and their location is incredibly valuable. No matter what kind of situation you find yourself in, it is important to note resources when you come upon them. You may find an area that has a good water supply or abundant wildlife signs, but it may not be a good place to set up camp. Knowing how to get back to that area, and where resources are located, can save you a lot of time. Again, if you have to backtrack, knowing where resources are will help in planning your route. All this information can be helpful reminders down the road when your mind is preoccupied with more pressing concerns.

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