BUILD CONFIDENCE FOR THE FIELD
Brian spent years in the Marine Corps being prepared for a number of contingencies.
Survival is a measure of last resort. It is something we do when all other options have failed. You may know the rule of threes which will help you make the best decisions for your hunt! A person can generally go as long as:
- 3 minutes without air
- 3 hours without shelter
- 3 days without water
- 3 weeks without food
When we talk about survival, we are talking about the very minimum we need to stay alive and this mindset is a ‘scraps’ approach to hunting and can be very limiting if you let it– and it’s just not enough for the team. We aim to thrive, not just survive!
Being prepared will build confidence to go deep when you need to go deep–and leaving nothing to chance, thus setting you up for success on the hunt!
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF SURVIVAL FOR THE HUNT
PROPER MINDSET
You will hear this over and over…and over! The proper mindset is essential. You already hunt hard, so you are probably well equipped to handle stress. However, stress can rear its ugly head when you are far from base camp, experiencing an injury, out of touch with your tribe, or just plain thirsty.
PROCURE WATER
Dehydration is a major threat and can be fatal. We recommend carrying as much water as you can but also having the ability to find and purify water. Survival is one thing, but do you really want to quit a good stalk?
Interestingly, the Marine Corps says “a loss of only 5 % of your body fluids causes thirst, irritability, nausea, and weakness; a 10% loss causes dizziness, headache, inability to walk, and a tingling sensation in limbs; a 15% loss causes dim vision, painful urination, swollen tongue, deafness, and a feeling of numbness in the skin; also a loss of more than 15% body fluids could result in death.”
CONDUCT FIRST AID
FIRST AID IS PART OF SURVIVAL.
Your kit should be tailored for your hunt with the ability to scale up and down depending on the situation. You should maintain the ability to treat common injuries so you can stay focused on success or manage life-threatening problems if you get yourself into a pickle.
Our Beyond Rubicon Kit contains extra splinting materials to stabilize your ankle, treat abrasions and cuts, and, for traumatic injuries, save your life. Don’t worry, if you find yourself forgetting some techniques we provide a field guide for you.
BUILD A FIRE
Survival in the backcountry is all about confidence. Having the skills to build a fire is essential to success whether you found yourself in a sudden snow storm or simply on a long stalk that has you sleeping overnight away from base camp.
Not only can a fire prevent Hypothermia, but it can also signal for help, purify water, and cook food.
SIGNAL
When you are off the grid, it is important to have multiple methods to signal for help. We carry a Garmin InReach for just such things but having a mirror and the ability to build a fire will increase your chances of linking back up if you need to do so. Survival experts always recommend having more than one method of signaling for help, because you never know which one will work best in a given situation.
BUILD A SHELTER
When you’re out hunting, the last thing you want is to get caught in a situation where you’re stuck overnight. But if it happens, it’s important to be prepared. That’s why we always carry emergency blankets and tarps, even if we don’t plan on staying overnight. And if we do end up spending the night, we make sure to bring a bivvy and bag. Survival is all about being able to adapt to the situation and having the confidence to know that you can make it through the night. With the right shelter, you can stay warm, dry, and safe until morning. So next time you head out into the woods, remember: it’s always better to be prepared for anything. Because in the end, your success could very well depend on it.
FIND FOOD
Those who are confident in their abilities are more likely to be successful on a long stalk so carrying the right food is recommended. Don’t overdue the sugars and keep carbs and proteins handy. Staying for a day or more, dehydrated foods are great!
We know that we could survive for three days without food, but why take the chance? After all, a little extra protein never hurt anyone’s feelings if you have to take a squirrel or grouse. But, plan accordingly so you can stay after it longer and increase your chance of success!
WHAT’S IN MY PACK?
THE THRIVE RUCK BY BEYOND RUBICON
Everything in the “Thrive” pack is designed for hunters by hunters. Each pocket and zipper is designed with a distinct purpose in mind that will give you the confidence to go deep into the gnarliest canyon or chase that bugle up the mountain.
The backloading compartment and access make it easy to pack and access your gear when you need it most. The Thrive Pack delivers uncompromising design, quality construction, and exceptional performance.
Our custom-designed panel features four zippered pouches (two of them removable) to store components of your survival gear; from water treatment to fire starting, you will have your gear organized and accessible so you don’t have to hunt around in a gypsy camp to find what you need.Best Quality Made in the USA Pack on the Market