In a world where our society wants to protect us from everything and provide a program for any unforeseen event in our life, it’s a good feeling to know that all you have is yourself.

And, of course I love the loneliness of solo backpacking. I don’t carry any gadgets with me such as cell phones, iPads, GPS’s, etc. I love to be alone with “it” and me. Observing, planning and overcoming the next challenge on the trail. I was introduced to the Kindle this year and that has lightened my backpack load some. Instead of carrying a book I now carry my Kindle for reading at night or if I decide to make a stop during the day.

Most of my backpacking is done in the late fall to early spring… My kayak camping extends from spring until fall. Finding deserted beaches and sandbars is pretty easy in my coastal area.

So what has this all to do with kayak backpacking? My kayak adds a wonderful new dimension to backpacking or camping. And, if your health will not allow you to make long hikes, kayaking is another way you can get out on your own. I plan my kayaking trips just like my hiking trip. Weather, supplies and a flight plan.

Most sea kayaks have a sizable compartment space for a two night trip. Tent and a sleeping bag fit comfortably and I still have plenty of room for fresh water. Fresh water is always a problem when you have to carry it on your back all day long. And along the coastal waterways fresh water can be scarce.

Three days is plenty for me in a kayak all day. I find my destination, pack up and off I go. Paddling along to my destination I stop when I am cramped or tired. Have my lunch on some beach or sandbar and continue on until evening. I like to be at a campsite with plenty of time to set up camp.

So, when I do reach my campsite. I secure my kayak, pitch my tent and prepare for supper and a good nights rest. Most beaches have a ready supply of driftwood which makes for a quick and ready fire. Remember the bug spray if you are out in the summertime. Another reason I prefer late fall and early spring no bugs and the motor boaters haven’t taken to the water yet.

Source by Laurence Pitts

The post Why I Combine Kayaking With Backpacking appeared first on American Survival Gear.

1. When looking for toys for your dog, make sure that you choose according to the size of the dog for safety reasons. Generally, you should ensure that the toys are not too small that the dog can swallow, but neither should they be too big making it difficult for the dog to grip it with its mouth. You should also ensure that you choose a safe material depending on the age of the dog and the chewing abilities.

2. Consider the health needs of your pet when buying food and treats. For instance, you need to select the right food products for growing puppies and they should be essentially rich in minerals and vitamins, and you would require foods that are highly energetic to sustain sporting dog breeds. For older dogs, you would need to keep watch of the calorie levels in the food and treats you get so they do not end up gaining weight. Know your pet health needs and choose the supplies accordingly.

3. Even though cats are carnivores, remember that they need much more than just meat for survival. The food that you select for your feline should be balanced in vitamins and protein. Remember that kittens need calcium to aid fast growth, including bone growth while older cats are best served with foods that are lower in calories so they remain lean and active. It helps to consider the age of the cat and the energy requirements before buying your feline supplies.

4. Always put health care as a priority for your pets whether they are dogs or cats or any other pet. You can keep suffering at bay by using the right tick and flea medications and you can also choose the best dental products for your pet. Actually the toys that you choose for your pets can help in keeping their dental health in top shape.

5. When choosing crates, litter boxes, leashes and collars, make sure that they are comfortable enough for the pet. They should match with the size of the dog so that you do not end up hurting them.

6. Try as much as possible to buy your products and supplies in bulk. It is a simple way of saving money and ensuring that your pets have what they need all the time.

Source by Jovia D’Souza

The post Helpful Tips On How To Buy Pet Supplies And Products appeared first on American Survival Gear.

The number One slot for survival in the winter months is Moisture. Use Moisturizer in the cooler season to protect your hair. Use intense reconditioning products in the winter at least twice a week this will help to combat the dry heat we use indoors as the temperature drops.

Number Two slot is taken by, regulator trims or hair cuts for your dead split ends, this is a must for healthy hair. If split ends go untreated they could become a bigger problem later.

Number Three – Rinse hairs with cool or cold water to close your cuticle and seal in moisture.

Number Four – Extreme temperatures for your hair spells trouble… Too cold or to hot is not healthy for you hair. Try not to use very hot curling irons on your hair or sit too close to the air vents and let the heat blow on your hair it could dry it out. Cold air could cause your hair to freeze and break, Be cautious.

Number Five tip – Do not over shampoo your hair. The winter is the perfect time to let our hair rest from over shampooing. You’re not at the beach getting too much sun tan oil in your hair or perspiration; let your hair go longer between shampoos, your hair will thank you.

Tip number Six – It is a good idea to change you shampoo and conditioner every few weeks. Just as your body can become immune to certain medications, your hair can become less responsive to the same shampoo week after week. Just change it up a little.

Tip number Seven – Do not over work your hair with too much product, too much of a good thing is a bad idea. Too much gel or mouse can weigh your hair down. Too much hair spray can leave it dry and brittle.

Tip number Eight is a more specific tip for gray hair. Gray hair can be harder to color, but can be done. The main thing you need to remember is most packaged hair colors come with 20 volume peroxide and you need to use 5 or 10 volume to deposit color. Just change that one thing and you can cover the gray in your hair. Then moisturize for the winter after every chemical you use on your hair.

Number Nine – During Winter Months one may want to go a shade darker with your hair color. You usually lose some of your tan and you defiantly change the colors you wear in clothing, so make a subtle change in your hair color. Maybe one shade deeper to go with your new fall wardrobe.

Tip Number Ten is always a big problem in the winter months: that is static. The age old tip of spraying your brush lightly with hair spray Still rings true today. It is a great way to get rid of the fly away hair we all have trouble with in the cooler months.

I hope these tips will make your winter a little more bearable. These are all tried and true methods of curing the blues of Winter. Happy Hair Days.

Source by Patricia A. Rowland

The post Experts Share 10 Natural Tips For Your Hair This Winter appeared first on American Survival Gear.

Working students have lots of responsibilities taking up the majority of their time; but does that mean you’ve given up on your dream of someday having the rewarding career you’ve always imagined? Hopefully not. Read on to find out how to get ahead of the game as a working student.

Follow these ten tips to make working, raising a family and going to school manageable:

1. Set attainable goals and prioritize.
2. Create a support system.
3. Find a job that works around your school schedule.
4. Find reliable daycare.
5. Make a schedule, but be flexible.
6. Stay organized.
7. Manage your time well.
8. Delegate household responsibilities.
9. Control stress levels.
10. Maintain focus and know that it can be done.

1 – Set attainable goals and prioritize.

Choose realistic goals and stay focused by prioritizing what is most important to you and your desired objective.

• Every decision you make should depend on your actual abilities. For example, if you can’t fit a full class load into your schedule, then start with just 1 or 2 classes a semester and go from there.
• Once you know how much you can handle with school, you can attempt adding more to your schedule.

A good tip is to break down one big goal into several smaller goals that are easier to manage.

1. First, write out goals.
2. Then take note of the progress you’ve made as each goal is checked off your list; this will build up your confidence.

This first student time management tip – “Set attainable goals and prioritize.” – is the most important. Once you master this skill, the remaining 9 tips should be easy to put into practice.

2 – Create a support system.

• Get buy-in from your existing support group: Discuss your decision to go back to school with your employer, family and friends. Make sure they understand why you are doing it, and that you – a working student – are going to need their help along the way.
• Reach out to your new support group at school: Use your school counselors, join a study group, get to know other working students who have similar daily obligations. Just make sure not to alienate existing friends or family members. You will not believe how much this support will help you in your pursuit of a new career.

3 – Find a job that works around your school schedule.

Find flexible work because school is your priority now.

If there are others that can do what you do at your job, it will be easier to take time off and trade shifts to work around your school schedule.

Look for jobs at the school you go to, at your child’s daycare, or maybe something you can do from home. If your employer doesn’t understand, look for a new one.

4 – Find reliable daycare.

Decide which form of childcare will work best for you and schedule to meet with them. Once you’ve chosen your arrangement, locate a few back-up sources in case anything changes. There are many choices for reliable childcare, such as:

• Public and private daycare centers
• Preschools
• In-home daycare
• Parent trade-offs
• Babysitting pools
• Family members
• Nannies

5 – Make a schedule, but be flexible.

If you haven’t already done so, make a schedule.

• This schedule should be at least somewhat flexible and contain every activity required of your day.
• Once you have it all down in writing and can see it from a better perspective, figure out what can be shuffled and what needs to stay put.
• The time between work and family obligations can be used for study and homework.

Now that your schedule is complete, don’t forget to communicate your daily obligations to your family, employer and friends. Once everyone knows what to expect of your time, things should run smoothly.

6 – Stay organized.

• To succeed as a working student, you must stay organized in all aspects of your life. You will notice that when your spaces are organized, your thoughts follow suit. Knowing where everything is at any given moment will also save you valuable time that can be put towards more important tasks.
• Keep your schedule up to date. Any changes that must be made should be updated immediately. This is especially important at the start of a new semester, when class times tend to change and new arrangements need to be made.

7 – Manage your time well.

Successful student time management is all about preparing and making every minute count. For example, use the valuable time before you go to sleep to:

• Lay out clothes
• Pack up lunches and backpacks
• Set out keys, coats and shoes (weather appropriate)
• Get the coffee ready to brew
• Take a shower
• Decide on a breakfast menu

This will save you precious time in the morning and insure that you won’t be late to anything.

8 – Delegate household responsibilities.

Delegate, delegate, delegate! If you have children over the age of 4, they can probably lend you a hand around the house and lighten some of your load. Make sure that everyone contributes to the family and has a job that they can actually do. In doing this, you will teach your children valuable skills for living independently in the future. And don’t forget to use your support system.

9 – Control stress levels.

• Keep stress in check. For a working student or parent going back to school, relieving stress is just as important as keeping it at bay.
• Take breaks often. Take a night off from studying and plan something fun to do with the family, friends or on your own.
• Make sure to take time each day to do at least one thing that you enjoy, such as reading for pleasure.
• Stretch, exercise or meditate. This can be as simple as going for a short walk.
• Remind yourself why you are doing this and reward yourself for your hard work and accomplishments.
• Enjoy the little things that always made you happy and incorporate them into every day activities.

10 – Maintain focus and know that it can be done.

Focus on the subject at hand. Manage one task at a time and don’t think about anything else.

• If you’re with the family, be with the family and hold off on balancing the checkbook.
• If you’re at school, focus on your assignments and put work responsibilities on hold.
• When fixing meals, don’t stress about who is getting the kids to their activities.

Remind yourself why you’re doing all of this: little sacrifices can lead to big rewards. Try not to be too hard on yourself if not everything goes the way you planned; that’s life.

Know that lots of people make the decision to go back to school every day and do it successfully. If they can do it, so can you! It just takes a little compromise and a lot of drive. Find a vocational school near you today and start reaping the benefits of convenience.

Source by Shivaun Martynes

The post 10 Must-Have Time Management Tips for Working Students appeared first on American Survival Gear.

I have been an outdoor enthusiast all my life and have collected knives from a young age. There are many personal things that you should consider when you are trying to find the Best Survival knife for your needs however there are a few things that are constant and that all good knives should have.

Constants You Should Look For In All Quality Knives

Fixed Blade

The first constant that you should look for is a fixed blade knife, all good survival knives should have a fixed blade. These types of knives can handle much more punishment and hard use than a folding knife and will be a much better tool for chopping and cutting.

Full Tang

The second constant is that your fixed blade knife should be full tang. The tang refers to the extension of the blade metal all the way through the knife handle. Essentially the entire length of the knife should be constructed out of one piece of steel with the handles either bolted on to either side of the tang or otherwise covering the tang. Many good survival knives will also have an exposed tang butt cap on the end of the knife for hammering.

Good Steel

The third constant is good steel. This one is a biggie and separates the cheap knives from the good knives and the good knives from the great knives. There are two main categories of steel, Stainless and Non-Stainless. Stainless steel is generally softer than non-stainless but is more resistant to corrosion. There are many different types of stainless that range from complete junk to some of the most expensive knives on the market. Stainless steel can be a very good blade material but the good stuff can be expensive. For brevity I will list some stainless steels that are very hard, keep an excellent edge and will last a lifetime. I would buy a survival knife made out of any of the following steels.

· AUS- 8

· AUS -10

· AUS-12

· 440 C

· BG-42

· VG- 10

· S30V

Non-Stainless Steel is generally tougher, harder, takes a better edge and retains that edge longer than stainless steel however it is more susceptible to corrosion. I am a big fan of Non Stainless steel and most of my knives are made of 1095 High Carbon or better. These are knives that take a beating, hold an excellent edge and are very hard to break or bend. There are a number of different types of Non Stainless Steel that are extremely strong and that I highly recommend.

· 1095 High Carbon Steel

· 1050 High Carbon Steel

· D2 Steel

· 5160 Steel

Personal Considerations

The “best survival knife on the market” may not be the best survival knife for you personally. There are a number of things that you have to take into consideration to find the right blade for your needs. Here are some things to consider:

What are the main functions of the knife that you will be using? Do you want it for chores around the house, camping, heavy chopping, skinning game or for bush crafting? These are all very different style knives, although some great survival knives close the gap and are great at a number of these uses, no knife that I have found is great for all of them. So let’s categorize them and put them into a few buckets.

Bush crafting

Bush crafting fixed blades normally are a small to medium sized knife that have about a 3″ – 4″ blade and are made with a high end steel that will retain a VERY good, razor-sharp edge like D2. These knives will have a relatively thin drop point blade which increases the ability to make detailed cuts. You will want to stay away from anything that is serrated. A couple great knives in this category are the following:

· Fallkniven F1

· Swamp Rat Vex

Outdoor survival

Generally your larger more beefy knives, outdoor survival knives range from a 5″ blade to a 9″ inch blade depending on how much chopping you will be doing. These knives are generally made of 1095 High Carbon or D2 steel. You will want a blade with no less than a full ¼ inch thick blade and tang. The tang should remain thick and wide throughout the handle. These knives are made to be beat on and are every much a “tool” as they are a knife. You should avoid serrations and look for a drop point blade shape. Some great knives in this category are as follows:

· Becker BK 2

· Becker BK9

· ESSE RC 5

· Ontario RTAK II

Hunting

Hunting knives are a whole different breed of knife, they may look similar to an outdoor survival knife but they are strikingly different. Generally Hunting knives have a 3″ -5″ blade and are made of a top stainless steel. Since edge retention and corrosion resistance are major factors, look for a knife made out of VG-10 or S30V. You will want to choose a knife with a thinner blade both in the thickness of the tang and the thickness from the edge to the spine. There are a few distinct types of points you will find such as a drop point, clip point and a skinning point. A couple good hunting knives are as follows:

· Fallkniven Pro Hunter knife

· Buck Alpha

Some other important considerations in choosing your best survival knife are the handles and the sheath. Both of these considerations can play a big part in your overall satisfaction of the knife that you choose.

Handles

Just like every other topic in the world of knives there is a lot to be said about the handles that you choose on your knife. There are many different materials that are all really good, however are different to the touch. Some of the popular knife handles are Krayton Scales, Micarta Scales and Grivory. Krayton and Grivory are less expensive but personally I think that they are just as good as Micarta.

The handle thickness should be comfortable for the size of your hands and I would suggest ensuring that you have a lanyard hole at the base of the handle. Another great feature that many of the Best survival knives have is removable handles. Normally the handle will be “bolted” on either side of the Tang. This allows you to clean your knife and change out the handles for a different material. The Becker Series knives are known for this feature and it is a HUGE plus.

Sheaths

There are a lot of great knives out on the market that come with pretty crappy sheaths. It can be a big letdown if you do not know what you are looking for. Many popular knives have a pretty big following and you can find great quality custom sheaths for them but if you do not want to go that route then look for a few things. Kydex sheaths are generally very good quality and will last for a long time. They don’t absorb water or dull the edge of the knife when they are sheathed often. Another solid sheath construction is a ballistic nylon sheath with Kydex insert. These last a long time and usually have several carry options. Lastly, good old trusty leather. As long as the sheath is made well and of a good grade of leather it will last you a life time.

Another consideration is the way that you want to carry it. There are several options including scout carry, belt carry, drop leg, MOLLE, or a tactical leg strap. In my opinion smaller knives are great to carry scout, but lager knives are great candidates for a drop leg option.

Source by Dave Slovenec

The post The Best Survival Knife – Survival Knife Reviews appeared first on American Survival Gear.

It is essential to stay healthy and fit once you’re away from home. Remember whenever you step out of your daily routine you let your guard down; your immune system gets weaker especially with the new environment around you. The new air, weather, foods and the microbes pose a threat to your immune system leading towards illnesses and minor health issues. Thankfully we have prepared a checklist for all those of who intend to travel this year.

1) Stay hydrated – We cannot insist enough on the fact to keep your body replenished with enough water. While sightseeing, sunbathing or doing the day to day activities your body loses water. It is important that you keep taking sips of water throughout the day so to prevent dehydration and the consequences that tag along.

2) Don’t drink the local water – Having said the above we never recommend you to drink the local water or indulge yourself in drinks that are prepared with local water or ice as your body is not used to it and can cause problems like diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting and food poisoning. Take your own bottled and sealed water and snacks from the ship when you head out. Never hesitate in asking the restaurant owners and chefs regarding the kind of water from which the meal was prepared.

3) Exercise – Most of us let ourselves go on a holiday. In our opinion, it is one of the worst things that one can do to him/herself. The breath-taking views, the new air and the company that surrounds you will take up most of your time, but it is crucial that you take half a daily from your routine and hit the gym. Most cruises are equipped with a proper gym and trainers ready to help you exercise and distress during the trip. This activity will contribute to freshen your mind and body, help with digestion and keep you active and fit.

4) Stay away from uncooked meat and spicy dishes – Honestly, it’s difficult to stay away from all the yummy and mouthwatering cuisines that the cruise has to offer but remember don’t overload your system with too many things that you will later regret. Uncooked meat, sardines and our beloved sushi is a big NO! Stay away from overly spiced up food because that can cause gastric problems. Skip on the exotic chutneys and dressings and eat as much of local fruits and seasonal cooked vegetables as possible.

Source by Hammad H Sheikh

The post Tips On How To Stay Healthy On A Cruise Ship appeared first on American Survival Gear.

As said previously, cancer of the breast is extremely common among women. It is, in fact, the second most common illness of this kind among American women (coming in second to skin cancer). Statistics suggest that 1 in every 12 women will develop breast cancer throughout their lifetime. Men can also develop this disease, but the statistics are much smaller.

According to the American Cancer Society, if a woman is diagnosed with this disease, there is a 3% chance that it could be fatal, leading to death. Since 1990, the number of women dying from this disease has decreased, mostly due to increased awareness and screening. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this dreaded illness, do not lose hope. There are presently over 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone.

There are several different stages of this type of cancer. The different stages of breast cancer are dependent upon 4 things; the size of the tumor, what type it is (invasive or non-invasive), whether or not lymph nodes are involved, and whether or not the illness has spread to other areas of the body. Let us take a brief look at the different stages of breast cancer.

The first stage which is considered stage 0, describes non-invasive breast cancers. In this stage, all cancerous cells remain in the breast and do not invade into neighboring tissues. Stage 1, on the other hand, describes invasive breast cancer. Invasive cancer means that the cancer cells are breaking out of the breast and heading into neighboring tissues. In stage 1, the tumor is up to 2 cm in length and no lymph nodes are involved.

Stage II if the disease is divided into 2 categories; IIA and IIB. Both stages involve invasive cancers. An individual is diagnosed with Stage IIA breast cancer when no tumor is found in the breast but cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes, when a tumor in the breast (measuring up to 2 cm) has spread into the lymph nodes, or when the tumor in the breast is between 2-5cm but has not spread to the lymph nodes. Stage IIB is diagnosed when the tumor is between 1-5cm and has spread to the lymph nodes, or when the tumor is larger than 5cm and has not spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage III of this illness is also divided into subcategories (IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC). Stage IIIA cancer is diagnosed when cancer has spread into the lymph nodes and they are clumping together. Stage IIIB is diagnosed when the tumor has spread to the chest wall or skin of the breast. Finally, stage IIIC is diagnosed when the tumor has spread to the chest wall or breast, and has spread to the lymph nodes. The final stage of breast cancer, stave IV, occurs when the cancer has spread to other organs of the body.

This dreaded cancer is a very common type of cancer among women but with a healthy diet and exercise you can help fight this sickness. Be sure to have regular check ups done with your health care professional to ensure that you are breast cancer free! Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry!

Source by Joel Gray

The post Breast Cancer Stages and Survival Rates appeared first on American Survival Gear.

Apart from being unpredictable, IBS symptoms may cause you anxiety in a couple of other ways:

– Chronic diarrhea is dehydrating, and your body reacts to dehydration as a threat to your survival because humans need water. Not having enough is a stress that makes you anxious, depressed and tired. It’s not a psychological problem; it’s a signal from your brain and body that you’re in danger.

– Chronic constipation is another stress that can make you anxious because of the build-up of toxins in the intestines. When your body is holding onto toxins, it can also react with headaches and nausea.

– In my experience, people with digestive disorders are often sensitive to chemicals and scents in common household and personal care products. Some chemicals are neurotoxins which means they disrupt the way signals are sent between your brain and your body. This is another cause of anxiety.

– When you are awake at night because of pain or several trips to the bathroom, you’re not getting the sleep you need. Sleep deprivation is a source of stress and anxiety for people with IBS and for millions of others.

– When you’re stressed by symptoms, anxiety can cause your mind to go blank. This can cause problems with work, school, or in any part of your life where you need mental concentration, which brings on yet more anxiety. It’s a vicious circle.

So what can you do about it?

When you’re feeling anxious because IBS is ruining your day yet again, here are some tips for natural anxiety relief:

1. A study at the University of Miami School of Nursing showed that taking an essence solution for anxiety had a comparable effect to pharmaceutical drugs but with no side effects.

What’s an “essence solution”? It’s a plant- or gemstone-based liquid that rebalances your nervous system for a calming effect. Two good ones are ETS+ by Perelandra Ltd and Rescue Remedy by Bach Flower Essences.

2. With two fingers, firmly hold these acupressure points for one to two minutes:

– Heart 7: Find the crease of your wrist at the base of your palm. Imagine drawing a line straight down your palm from your little finger to that wrist crease. Hold the point where that line would meet the crease. Good for fear, nervousness and anxiety.

– Circ 6: On the inside of your forearm, hold the point that is two and a half finger-widths up from the wrist crease. This point is in the middle of the forearm, not to either side. Good for nausea, anxiety and palpitations.

3. Use EFT tapping. EFT, the Emotional Freedom Technique, works for both short- and long-term anxiety relief. You can also use it to relieve the physical symptoms and pain of IBS. If you don’t know how to tap, visit YouTube and look for Instant Anxiety Relief for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

4. Eat soluble fiber foods or take soluble fiber supplements to help with both diarrhea and constipation. Relieving these two digestive stresses will help to relieve the anxiety that comes with them.

5. Clear the chemical and chemically-scented products out of your life, and especially from your bedroom, to stop them from stressing your digestive system, your immune system and your nervous system, and keeping you awake at night. This will help to relieve physical symptoms as well as insomnia and anxiety.

6. Once you’re feeling calmer, drink some good, filtered water to get re-hydrated. Water can be calming all by itself.

7. Breathe deeply and slowly, while you walk slowly through your house, thinking calming thoughts. Your heart races when you are anxious. You can slow it down by taking a deep breath then exhaling more slowly than you inhale. Deep breathing is probably the oldest form of anxiety relief on the planet. And it’s free!

8. When your mind goes blank, breathe deeply and slowly. Now, using your fingers, gently feel your forehead moving from your eyebrows up towards your hairline. Do you feel those slight bumps that curve out about half-way up your forehead above your eyebrows? Hold those bumps with your fingertips or by placing your whole hand across your forehead, and keep breathing with long, slow exhales. Hold for at least one minute.

Holding these points will bring the blood back into the front part of your brain, which is responsible for language and analytical thinking, and will help to calm you down. This technique is especially helpful when you are in a test, exam or other stressful situation and need to be able to think more clearly.

Source by Karen Alison

The post Does IBS Cause Anxiety? 8 Tips For Anxiety Relief appeared first on American Survival Gear.

Here are 5 boating tips to make your experience safe and memorable:

Ride your boat on small bodies of water

While it does sound extremely inviting to ride through the currents of a flowing river, it’s ideal to stick to smaller, calmer bodies of water for your first boating adventure. Everyone will feel more at ease with the shore nearby where it can be seen.

Also, smaller bodies of water tend to be more calm no matter what weather it is and nobody has to worry about motion sickness. Once you’ve gained more experience steering the boat, you can move on to bigger bodies of water for future adventures!

Aim for safety and security

Life jackets are your first layer of safety while on the water and it should be worn at all times even if you’ll just be cruising near the shore. If your little one is too small to wear one, he/she is probably too young to take out on a boat.

It’s also important to make everyone feel secure, especially the children. Remind them about no horseplay on the boat and each child should be supervised by an adult.

Keep it fun

Most kids have very short attention spans. After a while, they might start to feel bored so be sure to plan the trip accordingly. You can allot time for a picnic, swimming or fishing (make sure these are permitted) or you can bring along binoculars and try to find birds and wildlife.

Protect yourself from the sun

A sunny day is the perfect setting for a boating adventure. However, it’s important to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays, even if your boat is equipped with awnings or cabins. Remind everyone to put on sunscreen, to bring sunglasses, a floppy hat or to wear long-sleeved shirts for good measure.

Secure your belongings

It’s ideal to leave personal effects (wallets, keys, gadgets etc.) behind, but if you must have them on you, place them in a Ziploc bag to keep them from being wet. Take out phones and cameras only to take photos, but aim for a gadget-free adventure!

Make your first boating with family safe and enjoyable with these 5 helpful tips!

Source by Daniel J. Smith

The post Boating For Beginners: 5 Tips To Make Your Experience Safe And Enjoyable appeared first on American Survival Gear.

There are some situations where access to goods or ability to buy goods could be limited. Having a good 30 or 60 day supply on hand isn’t a bad idea.

Job loss – For most people at any time their jobs can be lost. This normally isn’t thought of as a survival situation but in a modern world it is. Having extra food and supplies will just make the period of job loss a bit easier.

Natural disaster – Some natural disasters you will have to evacuate the city like a major hurricane. But for some you might be stuck at home because it’s too difficult to leave the city. Having this food supply gives you something to rely on.

Pandemics – Pandemics can happen. Luckily there is some security out there where things are done to control them, but a sickness or virus could get out of control. The strategy in an area if one of these sicknesses is too far out of control is to quarantine everyone. While you are quarantined having some supplies will make this time much easier.

When you make your survival food storage, store food that you currently eat. Stock up on items that you already enjoy and just rotate your supply. Put the new one you just purchased into your storage bin and take the oldest one out to use next. This way you don’t have to worry as much about the food spoiling. Also you aren’t going to be left with old freeze dried meals that you may never actually eat if they go bad.

Source by Lance Esondi

The post What’s the Point of Survival Food Storage in a Modern World? appeared first on American Survival Gear.