by Michael Price

Tuesday, May 15th 2012 at 9:27am

Sometimes survival is rough, sometimes it’s painful, and sometimes it’s really downright disgusting. Despite all this, it’s fortunate that we human beings are still hardwired to put the passing on of our DNA above our personal distaste for less than desirable living circumstances, including what ends up on the dinner menu.  If you ever end up in circumstances where a trip to the supermarket is no longer an option and normal food stores have run out, here are 10 things that you can consume in a survival situation, but probably wouldn’t want to otherwise. We’ve decided to list these entrés and hors d'oeuvres (your choice on what meal course to serve them with, bon appétit!) in order of gross factor (least to greatest.)

by Michael Price

Monday, May 7th 2012 at 8:15am

Summary

Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail co-invented the Morse Code system and perfected the electrical telegraph in 1836, thus creating the first practical long-distance messaging system. While the telegraph has been surpassed by superior forms of long distance communication, Morse Code is still one one of the most simple and versatile methods of long distance communication and can still be useful if you are lost, stuck, or bored.

by Michael Price

Wednesday, May 2nd 2012 at 10:45am

What it is:

The 10 Essentials are 10 things that you need to take with you if you are going on a wilderness adventure. They are also REALLY good to have in your Bug out Bag. The original list consists of the following:

Map

1. Compass
2. Sunglasses 
3. Sunscreen
4. Extra food and water
5. Extra clothes
6. Headlamp/flashlight
7. First aid kit
8. Fire starter
9. Matches
10. Knife

by Michael Price

Monday, April 30th 2012 at 8:15am

What it is:

Choking is one of the prime examples of a hurry first aid case. If a person’s air supply is cut off, options are limited and must be used quickly before serious brain damage or death occur. The Heimlich maneuver is the classic method of helping someone who is choking. This, in combination with throat finger-sweeps is a great method for helping anyone who is choking and will most likely be enough. There is occasion that these methods will not be enough. In this case, an emergency Tracheotomy will be required. This is where a cut is made in the throat that allows air to enter the lungs, bypassing the nose and mouth. While this is an extreme procedure, it will allow the victim to breath until medical personnel have the time they need to clear the blocked air passage.

by Michael Price

Thursday, April 19th 2012 at 8:15am

The Problem:

It finally happened. All of these years you have been waiting, preparing, worrying, and planning and its finally here. YOU, are in a disaster situation. The good news is, you did plan properly. You have emergency supplies, emergency gear, freeze-dried food and a great backpacking stove. Unfortunately, as part of the disaster, a tree fell on your garage, destroying much of its contents including your camping stove. You don’t need to leave your home, but you are without any utilities and you and your family are hungry. How do you cook the food to feed them?

by Michael Price

Thursday, April 16th 2012 at 8:15am

Lesson Purpose:

Having one month to one year of extra food in the house is a way to limit the influence of a natural or personal disaster from creating a family food crisis. Your children should understand why you have food storage and how to maintain and use your food storage correctly during everyday living and during a disaster.

by Michael Price

Thursday, April 5th 2012 at 8:15am

The Problem:

Hurricane Katrina and Japan’s 2011 Tsunami are proof that even developed countries can be hit by devastating disasters that can disrupt normal local supply chains for critical goods like food . People went weeks without access to stores and sufficient relief supplies after Katrina and the Japanese Tsunami. These types of things may be only “once in a lifetime” events, but it only takes once to really do some permanent damage to your family if you’re not prepared. For the same reason you carry a life insurance policy, you should also be storing food and other critical life sustaining goods.

Who Says Survival has to be Rough?

by Michael Price

Thursday, April 2nd 2012 at 8:15am

We here at Bearsurvival.com pride ourselves in being able to eat just about anything, anywhere, anytime. When Dan worked full-time as a backcountry wilderness guide, snakes and bugs often made it onto the menu and things were cooked in coal beds (if at all). And I, well... I once ate a pizza that had fallen on the ground cheese-first (never underestimate the pressure of a bet).

by Michael Price

Thursday, March 29th 2012 at 8:15am

What it is: Iodine, or the element labeled “I” on your periodic table of the elements had its 200th birthday last year, which is odd, seeing as how it has always been one of the elements our bodies need to survive.

Pickle pickle, what can't you pickle?

by Michael Price

Tuesday, March 27th 2012 at 2:15pm

The Problem: There was a tremendous power outage 2003 that affected an estimated 55 million people across nine states as well as a major section of Canada.

Sometimes it's just not your day....

by Michael Price

Tuesday, March 13th 2012 at 9:27am

 "Did you ever observe to whom the accidents happen? Chance favors only the prepared mind. “ - Louis Pasteur

Accidents are going to happen, but they happen with greater frequency and consequence to those not prepared. There is a reason why you rarely hear about life and death survival events involving well planned out events and excursions. Dangers have been assessed, contingency plans created, and mitigation and prevention measures put in place.

19th Century Sheepskin sleeping bag.

by Bear Survival Company

Tuesday, March 20th 2012 at 9:14pm

What's the worth of a good night’s sleep? Well, if you happen to be in a high-risk, high-stress, survival situation, it could be worth you or your family’s lives. Plenty of studies have shown that not getting enough sleep can impair a person’s judgement in the same way that having one too many brewskies might.

Plague = Bad. Disinfect = Good! (Arnold Bocklin - Die Pest.)

by Michael Price

Wednesday, March 15th 2012 at 4:40pm

According to the Center for Disease Control:

Sterilization: “. . . a process that destroys or eliminates all forms of microbial life. “

Disinfection: “. . .eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores.”

Becuase sometimes, you really might have to.

by Michael Price

Wednesday, March 14th 2012 at 8:40am

The Problem: A friend of mine once had his ear turned into hamburger by chain-link fence barbs while skating at the beach when we were teenagers. We immediately stemmed the bleeding with a paper shopping bag and napkins, then went for medical attention. A plastic surgeon and 30 stitches later, things were pretty much back to normal. But what if this had happened in the middle of nowhere or during a major disaster where professional medical help wasn’t an option?

by Michael Price

Tuesday, March 13th 2012 at 9:27am

The ability to travel from point A to a more desirable point B was often a necessary means of survival for our ancestors. Ancient nomads migrated seasonally between different hunting grounds and foraging locations for instance. 

Cartoon by Graham Harrop (1994)

by Michael Price

Wednesday, March 8th 2012 at 10:34am

As seems to be the case with most things, adventure and survival gear has a strong tendency to become misplaced, damaged, or used up before you REALLY need it if you just leave it laying around.

International Morse Code

by Michael Price

Wednesday, February 28th 2012 at 2:34pm

Morse code is a pattern, most commonly used with telegraphs, that allows for the transmission of letters from one individual to another across distances. When transmitting in Morse Code a rhythm is used in order to separate letters and words.  

Cave Painting Anthropos

by Michael Price

Tuesday, Sept 13th 2011 at 11:24pm  

If you look down at your keyboard you'll notice that you're sporting a fine pair of opposable thumbs. Not only are those dandy digits helpful for pounding down nachos, they, along with our big 

US Army 51127 - Stop That Fire!

by Michael Price

Wednesday, August 24th 2011 at 3:12pm  

M aking sure your family understands the basics of fire safety is a must and may very well save their lives. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, fire injuries and deaths involving children in the U.S. are  

by Michael Price

Wednesday, August 17th 2011 at 9:44am  

In an ideal world, all of us would have a self sufficient full-blown organic farm running itself in our expansive backyard. One step through the back door would bring you right to a garden full of all the perfect produce you might find at your local farmer’s market, as well chickens, sheep, and cows that tend to themselves.