Being a FL resident, I've had extra provisions, batteries, water etc. for a long time. Also a survival kit that I have compiled over the years capable of keeping me alive in only minor discomfort should I ever need it.

What surprises me though is that lately, survival information is everywhere? On TV, books, videos & magazines. It's as though it has become the nations latest craze, sorta like building a bomb shelter in your backyard was back in the fifties and I can't help but wonder why?

Are we becomming overly concerned about some cataclysmic disaster, paranoid or just hoping for the best while planning for the worst? Has all of this survival interest taken place because of the way that things are going in the world economically?

Don't get me wrong as I've always believed that being prepared and a little paranoia is a good thing but as of  lately survival seems paramount to a large segment of our population?

As far as the perfect survival knife goes, I think almost any decent blade can serve as that under an emergency situation. Even a cheap knife is better than no knife although I have my own idea as to which ones I would want to have on me if the SHTF.

Robert.... Natural disasters are just one thing we need to accept.  Mother Nature rules and reminds us from time to time.  Being prepared is only being smart.  Have a plan such as when a disaster strikes the family and loved ones will rally at a point determined to be the safest and where the water, food and weapons are staged.  Have water and food supply for seven days for those who will arrive.  Expect a couple of extras tagging along.  Trying times are coming.

Gary....

Good suggestion Gary.  I am going the Barnes and Noble on my round-about in town and check it out.

Gary...

I have not had one of the DPx (Dangerous Places) knives for review. I would be interested in receiving a sample for review by my team and maybe take it on my next adventure...hopefully soon. 

ESEE (formerly RAT Cutlery)  DPX HEST 2.0 is a liner lock which is the first form of lock blade some 200 + years ago.  DPX is DPx for Dangerous Places and HEST is Hostile Environment Survival Tool.  $259.99, buy one from my buddies at Blade HQ.com for $175.00 shipped.  The DPx HEST 2.0 is the forerunner and seriously improved over the original DPx HEST and a high end folding knife.  Too expensive for most military personnel and all but the most hardened knife lover Cops.  Thanks Gary.

I recognize the "Dangerous Places" logo from an old book of mine titled "Fielding's The World's Most Dangerous Places" by Robert Y. Pelton" 3rd edition 1998. This is a great survival guide for those who like to venture off the beaten path by visiting war torn, dangerous and often third world countries without the wife and kids.

The DPx looks like a great knife however it is advisable to check out the knife laws of any country you plan on visiting. I had been traveling through Alaska, Mexico, New Zealand and other places during the early '90's while wearing my Buck 110 lockback. When I was in Australia some of the locals were kind enough to warn me that I could be arrested for carrying such a knife. So much for Crocodile Dundee, eh mate? 

Mind you this was at a time when their government was far more lenient about such things and prior to their passing laws prohibiting gun ownership.

Incidentally, I understand crime has gone up 47% since making guns illegal for the honest citizen. Government officials are at a loss as to why?

Sometimes the most dangerous places you can visit is due to their government.

Kent...

This is true outside the USA and in the USA.  Be careful in Canada and Mexico.  In Mexico you can buy auto knives but they are illegal.  Where I go I am not bothered by the local police as I am training them.  The philosophy in the 3rd World countries is different than here and Western Europe.  One rule of thumb....with the exception of the USA, If it use to be a British Colony then it is most likely illegal.  In Briton the 2 1/2 " knife blade must not lock open, must be manually pulled out with the fingers.  I had this told to me by the Metro Police in London as I was carrying a 4" lock bladed knife and had four more in my bag.  Professional courtesy prevailed. 

I live in Florida and it is not unusual to go out on a boat with short notice.  I am putting together a small survival kit in a Ziploc which will fit in a pocket.  The list includes a knife, Survival Whistle, Signal Mirror, Sun block, Extra waterproof bags.  Any other suggestions?   This is for day trips fishing or scalloping.

Gary.....

Depending how much you budgeted for the survival kit I would suggest a Gerber pocket kit.  They make a great one.  I would include a good multi-tool, beef jerky, power bars, hooks and line and if you want to spend the money, buy a hand pump water purifier.  I have one I have carried on my adventures and it is great to have along.  I would suggest you carry the kit in one of those photo journalist vests.  In this way you could easily carry these items with you at all times.  I found out the hard way in Iraq....it is better to have it and not need it, than not having it and needing it. 

Gary as you know living near the water, the old story....A Three Hour Tour.

Clint,  Great suggestions.  I will add them to my list.  Had not thought of the vest.  Good Idea.

Gary,

There are a lot of pockets in these vests so you could load it up with enough gear to turn yourself into an anchor.   I would recommend a couple of items not yet on your list; (1) an Altoid tin, (2)  if you can find it, a razor knife (just a flat frame to hold a single edge blade), (3) two or three extra single edge razor blades, (4) a flash light (a Streamlite Key mate or Nano are good choices), (5) mini pry bar (Gerber Artifact, (6) CRKT Eatin tool.   The tin will hold everything except #6 and will weigh very little.   Combined with Clint's suggestions, you should be well on your way to handling most situations.

Jim

James,

Thanks for the input.  You have given me lots to consider.  Most trips are inshore but some are well offshore.  I am thinking offshore requires more than will fit in a ziplock. 

Ron, it depends on which blanket you get -- they have a flimsy survival blanket that EMTs use or their heavier Space Blanket with will keep you very warm...I carried three in my pack, one as a tarp fly tent, the other as a floor with the silver side facing inward and a third I'd wrap up in and was comfy at 20F.

Do not use them over a sleeping bag unless you want to wake up in a swimming pool.

Ron- I concur with Shlomo's advice regarding getting the heavier Space Blankets. I also carry a light weight aluminum foil blanket on my person along with a few other necessities (just in case I get separated from my heavier survival kit). It's not a bad idea to have a whistle, waterproof matches, "Gob Blaster" (or equal) fire starter, vasilined cotton balls, 10' of parachord, compass & of course, a decent knife. One bad thing about the Space Blankets is they do crinkle-that is, they make a lot of noise. Chances are you'll be too exhausted by then to notice. 

One things no one mentions is the importance a a wool watch cap & socks. Why wool? Even when wet, wool provides warmth where cotton does not. 

To that space blanket, I would add a fleece blanket. Light weight, and will add insulation to the space blanket. 

Clint-I wonder what the latest knife nonsense is up in Canada? I used to go fishing up there quite a bit but it's been years. I really can't picture myself going out in the bush with a 2 1/2" pocket knife?  God forbid a fillet knife? It's like so many other nonsensical laws they have been passing lately. Same with Australia. The only thing that will change is that I'll become a "criminal" or just stay in some States of the USA where sanity and common sense still prevail. What a shame things have come to this. I pity future generations.

Kent, What nonsense knife laws are you referring to?  Past where?  Covering what?

 You can still come up here fishing and wear your fillet knife and nobody is going to hassle you unless you go stupid and start flashing it to everyone but you’d get into the same amount of trouble you did in the USA!  Remember a few years back AO knives were being considered SB/OTF knives by US Customs?  If you wanted you could be walking around downtown Toronto with a Randall Model 1-7 on your hip and nobody will hassle you unless it is concealed…Those open conditions happen in most of the US states as well!

 What are illegal up here are about what’s illegal in Great Britain, Australia, lots of Europe OH, an in most of the USA…for example: 

There are no federal laws concerning the lengths of knives allowed.

However there are many informal "blade length rules" in Canada. These vary from 3" to 4" for folding knives in various areas around the country, depending on what differentiates a pocket-knife from a fighting knife to the police.   There are no federal laws about knife materials, as well there are no formal laws on serrations, or dual edged blades.

• automatic knives such as switchblades—surprisingly which are legal in Australia;
• centrifugal knives such as flick knives or butterfly knives;
• gravity knives;
• Constant Companion (belt-buckle knife)
• finger rings with blades or other sharp objects projecting from the surface;
• push daggers;
• spiked wristbands;
• One-handed opening knives have been designated as legal to import by Canada Border Services as long as they don't fall into one of the prohibited categories.
• There is no length restriction on carrying knives within the Criminal Code of Canada; the only restriction is for concealed carry.

You can’t bring any weapon into an establishment that serves alcohol—pub, bar, lounge and by definition—licensed restaurant.

Though, nobody is allowed to carry any item with intent that is to be used against another human being in Canada. That's the law. Knife laws don't really exist clear-cut in Canada, because we have strict but yet subjective "weapon" laws…You don’t have a self defense knife with you maybe an EDC or a knife for cutting meat at take out joints.

Sorry, to say, me boyo, but your knife laws are far more screwed up then ours.

Kent....

Shlomo is right but somewhat harsh, about Canada knife laws.  A check on the Internet revealed this.

"Prohibited Weapon

Article 84 of the Criminal Code of Canada bans the sale and possession of any knife that opens "automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife." This part of the law has evolved into a test where police attempt to release the blade of a knife out of its handle with only one hand. If the knife's blade slides out, even slightly, the knife is considered to be a "prohibited weapon."

Knives with sheaths, knives that take both hands to open and any knife with a fixed blade are legal in Canada. Knives only become the law's concern in Canada after being used to threaten, injure or kill someone."

I would keep the fixed bladed knife length to 4" to 4 1/2".  Here is how I figure about other countries and states who have laws I can not abide by.  I don't go there.

Depending on the State in the USA, our knife laws vary widely.  To me as a 40  year veteran police officer I can't see the whole knife gun craze.  EVERY person I ever arrested for knife and gun laws were in possession of the gun or knife illegally any way.  With the exception of the auto and gravity knife parts of the Canadian laws, their knife laws are more liberal than ours.

But one must use common sense in choosing what knife to carry.  I would say Arizona is one State which has the least restrictive gun and knife laws.  Their crime rate is no worse than most.

Clint,

This is the part I find interesting...

To me as a 40  year veteran police officer I can't see the whole knife gun craze.  EVERY person I ever arrested for knife and gun laws were in possession of the gun or knife illegally any way. 

Here in the state of Arkansas, when I take a trip into the "wilds" or "brush", I take my Kabar, Becker BK9 and BK1 and my tomahawk. How does a 9-9 1/2 in.  blade, and a tomahawk fit into the laws of Canada?

I guess if your out in the brush, their OK, but if your stopped in the city for some reason, and a cop sees them, does he just say "have a nice trip", or do you get the 3rd degree?

Jan....

What I was explaining is....laws do not stop us from doing wrong.  Societies pressure and morality keep us in check....not laws.  Every adult in the USA could possess a fully auto machine gun with society as a whole would not be in any more danger than they are now.  It is the one with evil in their hearts who will do bad things....if they have a machine gun or just a club.

In reference to this conversation started by Kent.  An example of this is, In Canada more homicides are committed with a knife or edged weapon than with firearms.  Why?  Because knives are more available.  If there were no knives available...then it would be blunt force objects like a baseball bat.  Why? Because they are available.  As a species we are aggressive and can become violent.  This is a fact which we have to face up to.  Humans can and do become violent.  With proper inspiration all of us can do violence on our fellow man.  Example: Jan, if a big old hulking bad guy kicks in your front door and attacks your family....my bet is your going to do violent things to this guy till he leaves or is put out of action.

I watched one of those History Channel stories where they talked about aliens coming to earth to take us over to rob us of our resources.  One expert they interviewed said Earth would be the last place aliens would attack as we are too violent and war like.  The aliens would just move on to a planet where there were no intelligent people or people too weak to resist.  This is the way we are and this is the way we will always be.

Shlomo- thank you for the kind words.

As I said "I wonder what the latest knife nonsense is up in Canada now?" A legitimate question being that I also stated that it has been years since I've been up in a country that I truly love. What I was wondering is if I am going to be in violation of the law for carrying a 5" or 6" hunting or fillet knife in the bush?

I don't wear a hunting knife in the city here or anywhere else nor would I go "flashing it around". Nor do I own a gravity opening or assist opening knife but it's good to know what is legal and what isn't.

If switchblades are legal in Australia, that's interesting because when I was there in 1990, my Buck 110 folder was not. Yet, in Alaska it was never a problem? At that time, to my knowledge, it was also legal in Canada.

I recently found out that carrying any fixed blade knife in FL is considered a weapon and therefore illegal. Common pocket knives are legal but as I understand, the same Buck 110 folder IS illegal. Yes, our knife laws are inconsistent and vague.

None of this was even an issue when I was a young man. I also did not mean to single out Canada. This goes on and on with every country and city in the world and to what purpose I don't know? As Clint sagely put it, "laws do not stop us from doing wrong" If I were of that mind set, I could do far more damage with an axe or a shotgun than a knife.

Well I am not going to start collecting baseball bats, so the knives stay with us.  The laws always confuse me, people that respect the "weapons" dont use them as weapons.  I agree with the alien thng Clint. 

A knife is a tool and like any other object it can be used to do things other than what it was made for.

@Clint, I think you and I could have an interesting discussion about space aliens, but that's for another time.

There are things in this world that are far more dangerous than guns, knives, and baseball bats.  Perhaps one should consider automobiles, gasoline, fuel bombs, or maybe other seemingly benign objects such as that glass salt shaker on the restaurant table, a clothes hanger, a plastic bag, and wow even that Bic pen. 

Every country has their share of bad laws, and guess what, normal people follow the law not because they are afraid of he punishment, but because it is the right thing to do. 

@Jan,  you are right, people who respect weapons don't use them as weapons "except in self defense."

Know this, all politicians believe they know better what is good for us than we do.

An interesting historical fact is that Hirojito, Emperor of Japan chose NOT to try and invade mainland America during WW II  because, as he put it: guns were as common among the American people as are the blades of grass. They did invade the tip of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska due to it's scarce population but were eventually beaten out of their stronghold by a combination of American and Eskimo forces.

Hey, any of you "Survivalist" know how to fish? Well we are having a Fishing Photo Contest in the Outdoor Group with alot of prizes and all. Please come and enter as often as you like.

Those of you that watch survivor programs on TV, have ya'll heard that Dave on the program Dual Survivors has been replaced. They say he falsified his military record. I was just wondering what ya'll thought about it.

 I have a major problem with that!  I have absolutely no idea of the program that you're referring to!  I have never heard about it until I read your post.

Did he know what he was talking about?  Did he present it in a friendly manner?  If yes, then what the Hell's the matter whether he served or not--unless of course they are teaching military type SERE programs and even that's not a big deal since most of the early instructors for the military were civilian contractors.

He probably got caught shagging the producer's wife or husband and they needed a convenient and plausible out.

I asked this question for everyones opinion. To answer your question, he seemed knowledgable on the subject of survival and seemed to be a likable guy. Thanks, for your opinion.

I had a friend who said he was in special forces, but turned out he was a parachute rigger attached to them. I would not like having to depend on someone who I thought was experienced and knowledgeable, only to find out the person was not who he said he was.

My nephew is a rigger for the Airborne and he had to go through all the initial training same as the others. Had to make the qualifying jumps and much of the other things they learn. In my opinion he is knowledgeable.

I have watched the program a couple of times.  They mostly reinforce what I have learned and experienced.  I always wondered if they are on life and death survival what is the camera man doing?  I have no problem with either men.  If one was posing as something he was not.....then someone was not doing their due diligence i.e. background investigation or....the most likely.....they were promoting him as something he was not and knew it.  When someone called them on it...he took the hit for some nice severance pay.

Robert this is just my best guess based on my experience as a LEO and dealing with people and fraud.  I love everyone's opinion and value them more than mine.  I feel we are among friends and safe in expressing those opinions so I would like to see more friendly text.

Well guys it is much deeper rooted than that. I can post what he claims as his record and I can post what the military says his duty record is. I thought, ya'll would know about it. It's up to ya'll, "do ya'll want me to post the two conflicting records". I'm just wanting ya'lls opinion on this guy that had everyones trust as a survirvor teacher and does this change things for ya'll.