Brett

I attended the HEAT I class last week. It was my third HEAT 1 class (CRCD 2014 & CTT 2015. Link to my AAR from 2014)

It had been awhile since my last class (life happens). Wow. Besides being total fun, I learned a lot – or relearned what I should have remembered. One thing I relearned was just how essential training at MVT is!

I train locally of course (on a rural, private range), but it does not provide the same level of training/experience you receive at MVT.

The biggest difference is local training tends to be individual reaction to contact. Facing drills, muzzle control, safety manipulation, and effective scanning are all essential and prerequisite skills. As are the ability to clear weapon stoppages and malfunctions.

But the bigger lesson from MVT is it is not about the individual – it is about the team. This is the big disconnect with just about every other “tactical” training class you will take. They teach individual skills. MVT also teaches individual skills – but they then take it to the next level and teach working as a team under contact.

An effective team is a force multiplier! A team working together has an exponentially better chance of mutual survival. Many of us know this – but the truth of that tends to get pushed to the back of our minds because if you do not practice maneuvering as a team, you forget how hard it is! We tend to think that because we have had some training, we will be able to “make it happen” in an emergency. I am totally guilty of this.

But damn, working as an effective team, while under contact, is really, really hard! It is very difficult to get individuals to properly and effectively communicate, to move as a unit, to react as a team to contact, to maneuver as a team when going from one formation (such as extended line) to a different formation (the peel for example), to change the orientation of the line when the contact goes from the front to a flank, to move as a line, etc.

Working as an effective team takes training. Lots of regular training. Without that training you have as good a chance of killing each other, as you do of being killed by the enemy.

Effective & correct training = experience. Experience = force multiplier.

The best way to get that (effective & correct) training is at MVT. Max and Scott are professionals. SUT is one of their core competencies. Training is another. They are dedicated to providing the most tactically sound training possible. And the range Max has constructed is unique and exceptional. As a civilian you will not find this level of realism anywhere else. If you are serious about this, you will train at MVT.

As a side benefit, MVT is also an excellent place to meet individuals who are like minded. Thanks to training at MVT, I have met several lifelong friends.

I plan to go again next year. I’ll see you there!

TRAINING CALENDAR

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Are you married to a hunter or outdoors enthusiast and are unsure of what would make a great gift? No worries, the editors at Tactical Gun Review and Texas Outdoors Network have come together to offer 12 outstanding gifts that any hunter, fishermen, or shooter would love receiving. Let’s get started! Aimpoint Micro T-2. The […]

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There are many other ways to open a can. You can use a knife, a spoon, a hatchet, and even the concrete you walk on to open up your cans. #urbansurvivalsite #foodstorage #preparedness #cannedfood #survivalhacks

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A Guest Blog Post by Wayne Russell

 I wanted to share a technique I created that uses fir resin as an effective fire tinder.  I call it, The Fir Resin Match.  Growing up in the country with older brothers, the great outdoors was our playground. We did a lot of wild foraging, since we missed dinner many times because we were just too busy playing in the woods. We built a lot of shelters and did a lot of fishing and hunting.

Of course, we needed FIRE to cook those fish on the riverbank, or a rabbit we hunted on a cold, winter’s day. I have made fire many ways, but I learned, over the years, about resin-saturated wood, and found fir resin makes for a great fire tinder, and it burns very hot.

DISCOVERING FIR RESIN FOR FIRE

It started when I took a stick and poked the blisters of a fir tree. There was a snap as the bark broke and the resin underneath popped out. If you’re not careful, it can shoot onto you, even get on your face or in your eyes. Needless to say, I got covered in resin, but I kept going—popping the blisters and wiping the resin on a piece of bark or letting the resin drip on to the bark. It was a little time consuming and I had to pop a lot of blisters, but man did it make a nice fire in the end!

 Eventually,
I wanted to come up with a method for harvesting fir resin for tinder that was
quicker and easier than I had done previously.

Thus, the Resin match was born! I created this method to be used in conjunction with both a ferro rod, as well as a flame source. When looking to gather fir resin, you must examine the bark and look for the blisters the size of a raisin on the bark. Just under the blister is where resin resides. The resin can be gathered year-round. In the heat of the summer it’s loose and runs freely, and it reaches a thicker consistency in the winter. Whether you collect the resin in warmer months or cooler months, it works just as well. The resin is highly combustible and burns long and hot—this is what we want!

MAKING YOUR OWN RESIN-HARVESTING TOOL

 Now that we have the material to be collected, I had to create the perfect tool for harvesting and I did just that! Follow these two simple steps to make your own resin-harvesting tool:

1. I cut a 1-inch diameter stick to a length of about 8 inches. The end of the stick should be at a 90-degree flat angle. 
2. On one end, start carving outward to flatten one edge like a spoon—carve down until you reach the center line, making the spoon area as wide as possible. The larger the spoon area the more resin can be collected. 

It’s as simple as that! Now, let’s harvest!

HARVESTING FIR RESIN

 To use this tool, we are going to locate a blister and press into the tree, just under the blister. Now pressing firmly, we are going to scrape up the bark, tearing off the blister while capturing that precious resin. If the blistered bark lands on the spoon area that is fine. Continue doing this until you fill the spoon with at least a 1-inch diameter circle of resin. 

TAKING FIR RESIN TO FLAME

 Now, it’s time to light it! Simply lay the stick on the ground and step on the back side of it, holding it into place. Then, place your ferro rod into the resin, firmly plant it, and begin to strike. Personally, I use the multi-strike method, where I drive sparks into the resin and stop about ½” before the length of the rod. I move up and down the rod rather fast to shower and concentrate the heat into the resin, until I see flame. 

I have shown this method to many folks and they use it often and have loved it.  I wanted to create a way to make fir resin an effective tinder. I feel that I have succeeded, so I wanted to share this with as many folks as possible. It can be very useful and maybe, one day, save a life. I’ve also included a video below.

What’s your favorite fire tinder?

Thank you.

Wayne

Wayne Russell has over 35 years of wilderness and survival experience, which he loves to share and teach others. You can find his YouTube channel to see more here: http://www.youtube.com/user/kullcaven

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Heckler & Koch is proud to announce the US availability of the HK SP5, the only authentic sporting version of the legendary MP5 submachine gun available. The SP5 was developed by HK as a semiautomatic, civilian sporting pistol that matches the look and feel of the legendary MP5 submachine gun. “Our whole team is very […]

There are plenty of locations to hike near Los Angeles. Many people enjoy getting lost in nature and observing the world around them while they’re hiking. But what if you could also go for a treasure hunt?

Yes, that is right. There is more than just nature lurking out there waiting to be discovered. All you have to do is go geocaching.

Geocaching? What is that?

Okay—so, you’re not going to get rich from geocaching. It isn’t that kind of treasure hunt. Instead, you’re going to be using GPS coordinates to look for a hidden geocache box. Geocache boxes are usually metal or plastic containers of any size. You can geocache anywhere.

Inside the container, you’ll find small trinkets and a log of other people that have found that box. The trinkets can be anything. Foreign coins, plastic dinosaurs, old photos—anything that is relatively inexpensive. Some geocache boxes have specific themes. Once you find the box, you can swap a trinket and write your name on the log.

Why should I geocache?

Many people enjoy geocaching because it allows them to explore and discover new locations. Tracking GPS coordinates takes you to locations that you would otherwise never visit. And while you’re not tracking down actual treasure, looking for a physical box is still a fun challenge.

It can also help you connect to different people. Sometimes you’ll run into other people that are looking for the same box as you. This will either allow you to team-up with them or start a friendly competition. Some people even write little personal stories on the geocache logs, which can help you feel connected to people that you’ve never even met! Larger communities (such as LA) have plenty of geocache boxes hidden away.

What does geocaching have to do with hiking?

Geocache boxes can be found everywhere—outside of stores, hidden in caves, and, of course, on hiking trails. Geocaching can lead you to new trails that you didn’t even know existed. It is a good way to get out and do what you love, with the added challenge of finding a geocache box.

Another bonus of geocaching is it can add to your navigation skills. Knowing how to read a map or read GPS coordinates is a necessary skill for if you ever find yourself stranded in the wilderness while hiking. Even if you plan to stay on a well-marked trail, you never know trail damage might force you to go down an unmarked trail.

What do I need to do to start?

Getting started with geocaching is relatively easy. The first thing you’ll need is the coordinates of a geocache box. Using a search engine, search for “geocaching” and the area where you’re planning on hiking. This can help locate the coordinates of a box in that area. If you’re hoping to stay close to Los Angeles, try starting your search in a national park.

Once you have the coordinates, you’re going to need a navigation device to plug them into. Avoid using your phone, because if you lose service while on the trail, you won’t be able to finish tracking the box down. Instead, use a GPA with satellite reception, such as this one from Garmin.

Environmental impact/Leave No Trace

If you do it conscientiously, it is possible to geocache in an environmentally friendly manner. This article has some good suggestions for responsible geocaching.

Any other tips for geocaching beginners?

Something to keep in mind about geocaching is that the coordinates won’t take you to the exact location. The coordinates are meant to lead you to within 30 feet of the box, so once you reach the general area, you’re going to have to actively search for the box. You’ll have to look under rocks, check along riverbanks, and look for anything that looks out of place.

Many people try to disguise geocache boxes. They might make them look like a brick that is part of an existing wall or they might put them inside of something. While burying geocache boxes isn’t allowed, everything else is fair game.

If you’re struggling to find a box, make sure to check the hints. Geocache pages offer small hints that are meant to help you locate the box.

Final thoughts

If you’re looking for ways to switch up your normal hiking routine, geocaching could be for you! Geocaching is a particularly fun way to make hiking more enjoyable for children, but it is also an activity that many adults will find challenging. Just make sure to return the box once you find it so that others can enjoy it!

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Today it’s time for the expert council show. To ask a question for a show like this, just send an email to me at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with “TSPC Expert” in the subject line. Today on The Survival Podcast, the … Continue reading →