FREE SHIPPING — On all orders $50+
Step-by-step guides for building core preparedness skills
Reading topographic maps for navigation: USGS map scales and series, contour interval interpretation, the 10 terrain features (hill, ridge, valley, saddle, depression, cliff, cut, fill, draw, spur), drainage patterns, and the complete USGS symbol legend for trails, structures, and water.
Land navigation without GPS using topographic maps and compass: UTM grid reading, contour line interpretation, declination correction, taking a bearing, resection by two-bearing fix, and pace counting for distance. Specific techniques for moving to a destination without trails.
Build a permanent rocket stove from 16 standard cinder blocks: L-shaped combustion chamber dimensions, fuel shelf placement, riser height, and measured BTU output versus open fire and propane. Mortar options and fire-setting procedure included.
A 72-hour no-cook emergency meal plan at 2,000 kcal/day using only shelf-stable foods: calorie breakdown per meal, specific food items with quantities, storage weight and volume, and cost per person per day. No stove, no water required for most items.
Natural cordage from dogbane, stinging nettle, yucca, and cattail using the reverse-wrap technique. Plant selection by North American region, fiber preparation steps, wetting for consistency, and breaking strength data compared to paracord.
Seven emergency cooking methods ranked by fuel efficiency, cost, and reliability: rocket stove, solar parabolic cooker, Kelly kettle, propane camp stove, alcohol stove, open fire, and retained-heat cooker. BTU output, fuel consumption rates, and cost per meal included.
Field knife sharpening with a whetstone: 20-degree angle technique, coarse-to-fine grit progression, burr formation and removal, and leather strop finishing. Includes the paper test and shaving test to confirm an edge ready for use.
Primitive technology for survival: natural cordage from dogbane, stinging nettle, and inner bark using the reverse-wrap technique; birch bark containers and baskets; clay waterproofing for containers and shelters; and basic flint knapping for cutting edges. Tensile strength comparisons included.
Nine essential survival knife tasks with technique details: batoning, fire preparation, food processing, cordage prep, trap construction, and more. Full maintenance protocol with whetstone progression and strop finishing. Specific knife recommendations — ESEE-4, Mora Companion, Ka-Bar BK2.
Fixed blade vs folding knife for survival: full vs partial tang comparison, blade geometry for batoning, lock failure risk in folders under lateral load, and specific recommendations — ESEE-4 vs Mora Companion vs Ka-Bar BK2. When a folder is acceptable.
