Keep Yourself Alive!!!

The 10 “C’s” of Survival: Pt. 2, The Rest

January 8, 2023 Vol. I, Issue 2

Last week we talk about the first five items in our list of the ten “C’s” of survival.  If you don’t remember them, or this is your first time here, please go back to last week’s post.  To refresh your memory the first five basic items are:

• Cutting tool
• Combustion
• Cover
• Container
• Cordage

Those simple items should always be either on your person or in your pack when you venture out.  Now, let’s up our game a bit and talk about the rest of the list.

They are:

• Candle
• Cotton Bandana
• Compass
• Cargo Tape
• Canvas Needle

These five will make your impromptu campout a little more comfortable and increase your chances of making it home none the worse for wear.

Candle

Sometimes called candlelight or a candling device. It could be just a regular candle. Although, that won’t give you much light and it’s not going to be very helpful in windy conditions.  I’m talking about some sort of flashlight or headlamp; the headlamp being my first choice.  I’ll talk about the pros of a headlamp first…IT’S HANDS-FREE!!!  Now you have both hands available to do whatever you need to do and the light shines wherever you look.  In my opinion, you can’t beat that combo.  Many tactical lights have ways to clip them to your gear or cap as well.  If you’re really nostalgic and insist on actual candlelight, I like to carry the Candlelantern from UCO.  It gives off a fair amount of light and can also be used for heating, but that’s a story for another time.  It’s not going to light your path or be suitable for many tasks, but it will give you enough light to make you feel a little safer from things that go bump in the night.

Cotton Bandana

Bandanas have too many uses to thoroughly discuss here.  They’re cheap and you can get them just about anywhere.  Just make sure it’s 100% cotton! Why? Because cotton burns.

Let’s talk about a few reasons you want a cotton bandana on hand…

As I said, cotton burns.  You can cut small pieces of your bandana and use them to start your fire.  It’s also useful to filter out sediment prior to disinfecting water.  Use it as a bandage for open wounds.  The possibilities are endless.

Compass

Former NY Yankees catcher, Yogi Berra once said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.”  Yogi was always good for a catchy turn of phrase but in situations where you are lost, this could be the difference between moving toward salvation or walking to your death.

If you choose to buy and carry a compass you need to know how to use it.  Land navigation will be the subject of a future post, but in the meantime, there are many sources to learn from.  Make sure you obtain the best compass you can afford.  There are lots of cheap compasses out there that are absolute garbage.  Additionally, it’s always a good idea to have a backup. 

Here’s the reason I say that…

You can take a fall and lose or break your primary compass

Your mind can play tricks on you when you’re scared and in panic mode.  Use that second compass to verify your primary in case you start to doubt yourself.

Cargo Tape

Cargo tape? Yeah, I know.  It’s duct tape but we have to keep the “C” theme going!

Like the bandana, cargo tape has a myriad of uses.  If you run out of cordage you can use tape.  It can be your patch kit for your poncho or tarp.  It can be part of your first aid kit to bandage wounds.  Mark your trail.  Wrap it around something and make a drinking cup.

You name it, cargo tape can do it.

Canvas Needle

A what???  Harkening back to the age of sail, canvas needles were used to sew…well…sails.

Now, I’m not telling you to go to your nearest marine supply store and get an actual canvas needle, but a large upholstery needle can have many uses.

In my smallest little survival tin, I have an upholstery needle and about ten feet of braided fishing line.  It takes up very little real estate and weighs almost nothing.  It is the most basic of sewing kits.  I can patch my clothes, patch myself (not recommended), or magnetize the needle to make a last-ditch compass.  At least you’ll know your cardinal directions!

Well, that’s the list. 

All ten of these items are easily obtained if you don’t have them in your house already.  Just gather them up, make a small kit, and put that kit in your day pack.

Remember…It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!!!

I hope you enjoyed reading about the 10 “C’s” of survival.  I always welcome comments and suggestions about the items we talked about.

Do you have a kit?  What’s in it?  Did you need it?  Let’s hear your story!

See you around the campfire!