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MAKING A TINDER NEST
greatly increases the incidence of successful fire building. When a flame is caught, a tinder nest is used to ignite a bigger fire.
When crushed or bent, dry tinder will easily break. Sometimes, the surface area will feel dry, but when it bends without breaking, the material isn't really dried out on the inside. If the ground is damp, search out materials which can be found resting on top of bushes or branches. Because they have been exposed to the sun and air flow, these materials are going to be drier than ground litter.
If the driest tinder you can find is damp, place it inside your jacket leaving a clothing layer between it and your bare skin. When you find yourself ready to prepare a fire later in the day, the heat from your body will have served to dry the tinder.
Shredding the tinder creates extra surface area that will more readily catch fire. Fluffy materials are ideal for nursing a spark into a flame. Use a bandana or other cloth to gather your tinder. Select a long piece of tinder and hold it in your hands as you move them in a bike pedaling movement. Repeat this process across the full span your tinder. The tinder will soften and grow more flexible. Bits and fine dust will fall down from your hands and fall onto the bandana.
Take a few of the rough pieces of shredded tinder and create a loose over hand knot with a diameter of around four inches.
5 METHODS TO GET ALONG WITH A DIFFICULT PERSON
Many people are just much easier to work with than others. The ability to handle these types of associations may mean the difference between living and dying in a survival situation. Below are a few useful techniques:
FIRSTTHIS IS NOT A UNIQUE PREDICAMENT.
When a person is persuaded that he is 'chronically unique,' many problems arise. This is actually the notion that an individual's history, problems, wants, needs, requirements and yearnings are so distinct that no one could possibly fully grasp or be trusted to make judgments affecting him. Informing this person he's mistaken will certainly place him on the defensive and result in more time-consuming turmoil. Guard against this in your thinking and avoid taking offense when you identify this self-deception in others.
SECOND -- DO NOT LOOK TO OTHERS TO SOOTHE YOUR EMOTIONS.
The whining needs to rapidly cease. With lives hanging in the balance, it is important that this tough advice is heeded. It isn't the duty of your friends to hear your ongoing emotional challenges. Your determination to avoid complaining will add to your value as a team member. Reserve the details of your internal battles for a diary. When it is needed, talk about necessary information and facts. Having said that, take the time to try and encourage others. By seeking to find positive items of conversation, you will not only manage to move your thoughts in another direction, but you will also help other people.
- A mural in the rotunda of Oregon's State Capitol shows the Lewis and Clark Expedition arriving at Celilo Falls on the Columbia River in 1805.
THIRDACCEPT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IN THE PROBLEM.
The group's dynamic will suffer if you only blame other people for conflict. These problems AREN'T just someone else's problem. In the event that the other person avoids your presence, discounts your input, and concludes conversations quickly whenever you join in, you might unknowingly be adding to the discord. Here are two steps that can help smooth the difficulties:
STEP ONE: If it is not nice, do not say it.
Learn how to redirect a discussion instead of taking part in an exchange about the flaws of others. Should your team member come to suspect that you're talking about him or her, it's going to make a rift. When others' trust in you has been damaged in this way, resentments may develop which are exhibited in the disposition and actions of others. Your associate becomes exactly what you colored him to be through his response to your harmful language.
STEP TWO: Build up abilities and strengths.
Search for opportunities to speak about positive attributes in your team member. Use this even if he isn't within earshot. You'll benefit by the reminder of these strengths and abilities much more than you would by cataloging the things that result in your angst. Redirect your thoughts if you find yourself falling into this habit. This will make it easier for you to be less harsh towards this individual without having to put on an act.
FOURTH
FIFTH
Individuals sometimes grow to be so bitter, hostile or proud that they are not able to work through their difficulties. Keep in mind, the goal is to survive, not to be proved right. Nagging other people and pressuring them to do things your way is only going to create greater conflict. Not only will a man convinced against his will still secretly disagree with you, but he will be quietly irritated about being bullied into compliance.
Whenever you set an example of versatility and refuse to hold grudges, you encourage others to follow your lead. Set aside conduct that causes discord and demonstrate your determination to promote the welfare of the group. This willingness to get along will help make the best of a bad condition.
WHO TO TRUST IN A SURVIVAL SITUATION
Prayer is known as a highly effective tool utilized by believers in order to remain calm and to seek guidance in an emergency. Here are a few further helps to ascertain the character of unknown people you encounter in a survival situation.
Make mental notes of the demeanor and behaviors of anyone that attempts to take charge. Observe these things carefully while discussing a topic that isn't marked with controversy. Exactly how does this person hold his head? What is his bearing? What's the position of his arms, shoulders, hands, feet and legs? How does this individual sit or stand? What's the relaxed placement of the eyebrows, the eyes and the wrinkles around them? What is the fullness of the upper lip? Does this change during when certain subjects are discussed?
When the person is talking to someone, which direction is his tummy aiming? Individuals are more prone to rotate their belly towards someone they are concerned for or trust. As you are talking with the person, rotate your body to face him and watch his posture. Turning a shoulder towards an individual (the 'cold shoulder') suggests that the person speaking might be hiding something or be uncertain of his words. If a topic is broached and someone leans back, it may show a preference to get away from the topic. On the other hand, the act of leaning forward can indicate an interest in a topic or an individual. A turn in the conversation that brings about hands clasped in front can indicate that the individual is trying to seem smaller and escape.
Once you have established a baseline of 'normal' conduct, change or variation from this could be a red flag that something is amiss.
If poor lighting prevents you from seeing, make use of your hearing to help decide an individual's reliability. Listen closely for verbal signs that show you the true intent.
Just how are yes or no queries responded to? Do you receive a solid yes or no accompanied by an explanation? Or does the answer include qualifications? For instance -- Question: 'Are you certain about this?' Truthful response: 'Yes' or 'No.' Questionable response: 'Of course! You know I could NEVER lie to YOU.'
An additional verbal clue is the choice of terms an individual utilizes to express information. The declaration: 'Whether or not you trust me, I'm being honest' includes the phrase 'I'm being honest.' A response that is worded: 'I know you think I'm not telling you the truth' utilizes the words 'I'm not telling you the truth.' These are generally small indications to the truth. The first is probably an honest statement, and the second seems to be signaling an untruth.
RELEASING A ZIP TIE
Because zip ties are nearly impossible to break and cost little, they are commonly used to restrain humans. When your hands are bound in front, you here is what you will need to do to break free.
LEAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO WIGGLE
When a zip tie is placed on your wrists, position your hands next to each other, palms downward, with your hands shaped into fists. Tighten the muscles in your chest so that the span of your shoulders is enlarged. Your bonds will be tight when they are checked by your captors. When you relax later, you will find there is some slack in your bindings allowing you to release the lock with a small shim.
Here is a video that shows how to release a zip tie using the shim method
REMOVAL OF TIE WITHOUT RELEASING THE LOCK
Wiggle room is also key to this method. Cross your wrists with the thumbs of your hands pointing upwards. This position will make a greater girth for the zip tie to span. Move your elbows wide so that when the zip tie is tightened, you will gain even more room. Without being observed, place your palms together as though in prayer. Gradually work the zip tie towards your fingers until one thumb is free. Once you have one hand free, the other will easily slip out of the plastic loop.
BREAKING THE LOCK
This method does NOT require extra slack in the loop. Rather than creating a slack binding, the zip tie should be tight. Curl your hands into fists and present them for binding with the palms facing each other. The lock should be positioned on top of your wrists. Lift your wrists to eye level while keeping your elbows bent. Next, force your arms quickly downward and backwards, running your elbows past your sides, attempting to touch your shoulder blades together. The force exerted by this motion will snap the lock.
These methods are presented for information only. Readers are encouraged to use sound judgment and warned that they assume all liability when trying these skills.
SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR EARTHQUAKE SURVIVAL
When the ground is rumbling every second counts. There is no time to panic. Refusing to panic can save your life. If you are close enough to feel the tremor, you are close enough to the quake (or explosion) for buildings in your area to be damaged. It is possible that the following suggestions may help you survive.
BASIC SAFETY
DUCK, COVER & HOLD
IF YOU ARE LOCATED INDOORS kneel next to an interior, weight-bearing wall. Get beneath something solid such as a strong table. Use your hands to protect your neck and head. Take a firm hold of the object you are beneath to keep yourself steady.
IF YOU ARE LOCATED IN A HIGH-RISE get beneath something sturdy. Use your arms and hands to shield your head and neck. Grasp the object shielding you to steady yourself. Use the stairs when you exit. Elevators should NEVER be used during a fire or earthquake.
WHEN OUTSIDE
Quickly note the location of large trees and power lines. These could be a threat to your safety if they fell. Avoid overhead hazards such as these. Try to position yourself in an open space in order to avoid falling objects. Move away from high buildings. Two to thirteen feet of broken glass can crash onto streets beneath high-rise buildings.
IF YOU ARE IN AN AUTOMOBILE
IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH
Secure your flashlight.
Wait for instructions from authorities before attempting to shut off natural gas. Tune in by radio to the emergency broadcast network for information on relief efforts.
Locate any pets you own. Soothe and reassure them. To protect them from running away, restrain them or place them on a leash until it is certain they are no longer afraid. This will also help prevent bites that occur due to anxiety.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
Respect the role that instincts play in survival. Pay attention to what you see small animals and insects doing. In 2008 there was a mass migration of frogs crossing roads in China that began on a Monday (May 5th). A few days later (May 12th) a 7.8 magnitude quake killed nearly 10,000 people in central China.
TAKE HEED
These measures are offered as guidelines. Considering your course of action ahead of time will increase your likelihood of survival if you find yourself in an earthquake. This advice is not meant to take the place of professional emergency aid. All liability is assumed by the person that utilizes these measures.
