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Archive for the ‘SERE’ Category

E&E Bags

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Call them what you will, E&E bags, bug out bags, or satchels, they are a long way from the salvaged Claymore bag you used back in the 80s. In fact, the modern E&E Bag was first developed for Diamondback Tactical by the founder of Mayflower Research & Consulting in 2003 based on his military experience. Over the past few years, the original design has been copied and modified by a slew of manufacturers, even morphing into the Courier Bag requirement for USSOCOM. The item is far from static and even Mayflower has improved on that first design.

The latest bag to hit the market is the Terrorist Interdiction Bag (TIB) from One Source Tactical’s Technical Services Division. It is the first bag of its kind designed to accommodate AK magazines. As you can see in the photo below, the retention tabs have been specially designed to secure the AK30 magazine from US PALM. Naturally, it will also carry other similar sized including M4 magazines.

Available in Black, Coyote, and MultiCam.

Tags: Mayflower Research and Consulting LLC, One Source Tactical
Posted in Load Carrying, SERE | No Comments »

Stuff We Didn’t Write About

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

Bushnell Redesigns Popular BackTrack Line

More camo news! US Navy Working Uniform III

This It How It Feels to Be Under a Nuclear Attack

Making Money During A Recession

DARPA’s Inhaled Drugs to Boost Troops at Extreme Altitudes

Fluid defences

Tags: Bushnell
Posted in Camo, Clothing, Gadgets, SERE | No Comments »

What All of the Well Dressed PJs are Wearing

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Pro Med Kits developed this CSAR ruck specifically for the Air Force PJs. For those of you who don’t know, CSAR stands for Combat Search and Rescue and that what the PJ’s life is all about, rescuing isolated personnel from certain capture at the hands of our adversaries. Since their mission is so demanding, they use very specialized equipment. Based on the popular Medium ALICE pack, the CSAR ruck is intended for down the hoist operations. It accepts MOLLE pouches and can be fitted to an ALICE frame which, as you can see leaves ample room for Hurst tools or litters. Additionally, it comes with a removable jump harness.

Berry compliant, the CSAR Ruck is available in Coyote and MultiCam. To order, visit www.promedkits.com.

Tags: Pro Med Kits
Posted in Packs, SERE | No Comments »

The Colony Season Two

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

Discovery channel’s “The Colony” begins its second season the Tuesday, 27 July at 10 PM Eastern.

Last season’s experiment took place in an urban Los Angeles industrial park and looked at survival from a group dynamic. In addition to numerous innovative solutions to standard survival challenges like food and water,the survivors also had to deal with the dynamics of small groups made up of individuals from disparate backgrounds. Show producers also introduced a variety of moral dilemmas as well as encounters with both hostiles and needy displaced persons. For us, what made this show stand out were the innovative tech solutions applied to the challenges of survival and the group dynamic and their approach to the situation.

This season looks to be even better. The venue has changed and the underlying cause is a biological disaster which will pose its own set of challenges. Over 50 days (10 episodes), the seven new survivors will face a variety of challenges including hostile invaders. Their new home is a 10 acre area in Chalmette, Louisiana destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Visit the website to learn more.

Posted in SERE | No Comments »

Navy Seeks Survival Gear and FR Clothing

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

NAVAIR has issued a Sources Sought Notice for Survival Items and Clothing for use by both Navy and marine Corps personnel. Survival items include equipment to assist isolated personnel in their recovery such as NVD compatible lights, signaling devices, hand held global positioning systems, knives, fire starters, multi purpose tools, water purification devices, hydration carriers and concentrated nutrition. All items should be efficient, compact, lightweight, water resistant, affordable and use common, commercially available batteries as a power source if needed.

The FR clothing side of the house includes items for both air and ground crews like flight suits and gloves, deck jerseys, and anti-exposure suits. They are seeking performance products whether fire resistance, environmental protection, or moisture management. This is an open ended RFI so as vendors come up with applicable items they can submit them.

Visit www.fbo.gov for the full details.

Posted in Clothing, Contracts, FR, SERE | No Comments »

The Ultimate Survival Skills Quiz

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

Check it out

The Ultimate Survival Skills Quiz

Posted in SERE | No Comments »

ExiTool from CRKT

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

The ingenious ExiTool from CRKT includes a seat belt cutter, a tungsten carbide window breaker, and a bright L.E.D. flashlight in a package that attaches directly to a vehicle’s seat belt. Designed by knifemaker Russ Kommer, the blade is inset so that you won’t be accidentally cut.

Available soon from CRKT.

Tags: CRKT
Posted in Knives, SERE | No Comments »

V-lite Adds Manta Strobe to Web Site

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

V-lite has added the revolutionary Manta Strobe to their website and it will be available beginning in April.

vliteusa.com

Tags: V-Lite
Posted in Comms, Lights, SERE | No Comments »

Jakpak

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Jakpak is a modular 3-season sleeping and shelter system consisting of a jacket, shelter, and sleeping bag. While slightly bulky in this configuration, all three components can be stored inside the jacket and quickly deployed for use.

Jacket
The hooded jacket is a simple affair manufactured from an unspecified 2-layer waterproof breathable fabric and features pit zips as well two exterior and one interior pockets. The integrated hood has a visor and pull tabs to keep foul weather out.

Tent
The detachable hooped tent uses two metal rods and covers the head and upper torso. The tent can also be used as a pack cover.

Sleeping Bag
The sleeping bag component is actually of elephant foot design and mates to the jacket via a #5 coil zipper along the rear of the mouth. Additionally, there is an angle two way zipper to facilitate entry and exit. It also allows you to fully expose the feet in order to walk around. While the bags looks to be roomy, there is also elastic at the mouth in order to keep it snug if needed and built in suspenders help support the weight. The bottom of the bag is waterproof and the top is made from an unspecified waterproof breathable fabric.

Jakpak is currently available in subdued two-tone Green shades, Black and Grey, as well as RealTree and a HiViz option for survival use. The mosquito net is Black but looks a dark Grey due to the mesh letting light through. Additionally, since it is based primarily on a jacket, Jakpak is sized XS (34-36) – XL (46-48).

For more info visit www.jakpak.com.

Tags: Jakpak
Posted in Clothing, SERE, Shelter, Sustainment | No Comments »

Manta Strobe from V-lite

Monday, February 1st, 2010

It’s been almost a year to the day since we introduced you to V-lite. At this year’s SHOT Show they introduced the Manta Strobe. A lot of work has gone into this piece of equipment. It velcros to the helmet and the chassis is smooth without any sharp edges to catch on equipment, obstacles, or shroud lines. Additionally, the base is slightly curved to follow the profile of the helmet. What’s more, it’s about half the size of an MS-2000. It is both a visible Green light and IR strobe and does not require a filter. Rather, by simultaneously depressing both side buttons the output is changed. Finally, the on/off switch features vibrating feedback to let you know it is on.

We got quite a few requests asking for a better photo of The Manta so here you go.

To order visit VliteUSA.com.

Posted in Comms, Helmets, Lights, SERE, SHOT Show | No Comments »

Like an Evasion Chart – For Your Back Yard

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Evasion Charts are produced by the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency to assist isolated personnel in recovery to friendly control. They are the ultimate survival map, printed on waterproof Tyvek and containing handy survival tips in the margins. Evasion charts also have other practical applications. They can be used for shelter and to collect water.

Now, 20sub3 is offering stock and customized Game Management Unit topographic maps, USGS 7.5 minute quads, as well as NOAA nautical charts printed on waterproof material. Currently, not all areas in the US are represented. To order visit www.20sub3.com and see if your area is available.

Tags: 20sub3
Posted in Gadgets, SERE | No Comments »

Beat a Master Lock Most Rick Tick

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

Mark Edward Campos, a third year architecture student developed a great graphic on a method to defeat a Rotary Dial Master Lock. Of course the intent of all of this was to find out how a Master Lock works and not necessarily how to defeat it. Essentially, you determine the first number by pulling up on the latch while the dial is rotated. Next, a table of all possible first and second number combinations has been calculated for you. Then you tough it out and attempt the one hundred combinations or so left.

Hack A Day had previously published an article on this method but suggested that using a shim made from an aluminum can is preferable. It is a lot faster. I thought our readers might be interested from a security perspective in this video of the shim method.

Posted in SERE, Training | No Comments »

Popular Mechanics Takes on Disaster

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

It seems like everyone is focused on Disaster Preparedness these days. For example, just last week saw the season finale of the Discovery Channel’s “The Colony”. It seems that in the wake of natural disasters and a near economic melt down, folks are interested in taking care of themselves and the October 2009 issue of Popular Mechanics takes it on.

One of the more interesting articles covers unusual survival kit essentials. Number one on the list? Beer. According to magazine publisher Trey Click, who survived last year’s Hurricane Ike in Galveston, Texas. “It’s one of the only things you can use for money in the aftermath.”

Here are just a few of the other articles in this issue:

• TIMELINE: An Illustrated History of Self-Reliance
• EARLIER: How to Make Biodiesel out of Kitchen Grease
• OFF-THE-GRID: Alaska’s Hidden Model for Clean Energy
• DIY HOME: How to Build a Raised Garden Bed (With Plans!)
• PLUS: Has Affordable, Efficient Rooftop Wind Power Arrived?

Posted in SERE | No Comments »

Use a 3D Printer To Get Out Of Handcuffs

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Ok, sure. It sounds like something out of an action movie. Sport Enthusiasts of Lockpicking – Europe member Ray used a hi-res camera to image the Dutch Police Hand Cuff Key. He then used a 3D printer to make a copy.

According to the lock picking blog Black Bag:

At first the police officers at HAR (Hacking at Random 2009, an international technology & security conference) were a little reluctant to event try out the plastic key he printed. But he found another way to verify the key he printed was the correct one. I guess these officers never thought about wearing keys concealed, especially when talking with Mr. Handcuff himself. Given the megapixel camera’s on the market today it was not so difficult to verify the key he printed was the correct one. At the end of the day he talked the officers into trying the key on their handcuffs and … it did work! At least the Dutch Police now knows there is a plastic key on the market that will open their handcuffs. A plastic key undetectable by metal detectors….

Posted in Gadgets, SERE, WTF? | No Comments »

Mayflower E&R Bag

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

If this bag looks familiar to you it should. Consider it a much needed update to the groundbreaking Diamondback Tactical E&R Bag which itself inspired a whole slew of clones. What makes the Mayflower E&R Bag so special is that both it and the DBT Bag were designed by the same person; Mayflower’s owner. Based on real world experience, the E&R Bag was designed to be used as a grab and go bag in emergency situations or as an everyday tote bag for essential patrol items.

The E&R Bag features a removable shoulder strap, fixed carrying handle, two external general purpose pouches and two external flat pouches designed to discretely carry six M4 or similar sized magazines. The top flap is designed to carry maps or other 8 ½” x 11” documents in a clear, zippered enclosure. Internally the E&R Bag is divided into one large and two small compartments with elastic provided to secure chemlites, pens, or other similar size/shaped items.

Berry Compliant and offered in Black, Coyote, UCP, and Multicam, the E&R Bag is available from Mayflower online or other purveyors of fine tactical products.

Tags: Mayflower Research and Consulting LLC
Posted in Camo, Load Carrying, Multicam, SERE | No Comments »

Survival on GMA

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009

A recent episode of Good Morning America featured former SF Officer Myke Hawke who was promoting his new book, “Myke Hawke’s Green Beret Survival Manual“.

In addition to a demonstration of fire starting using just steel wool and a battery, he also offered this mnemonic for remembering which berries are safe to eat in the wild.

White and yellow, kill a fellow.
Purple and blue, good for you.
Red… could be good, could be dead.

If [red berries are] growing in little clusters, they’re probably not good. If they’re growing in little singletons, they probably are good.
-Former SF Captain Myke Hawke

See the video of the GMA appearance here.

Tags: Edible Plants
Posted in SERE | No Comments »

Faststrike Maxi

Saturday, August 8th, 2009

Designed to be complimentary with the Fastfire fire starter blocks, the Faststrike Maxi is a larger version of the model that comes with a Fire Starting kit.

The Firestrike starters produce sparks in excess of 5500°F in any weather, at any altitude. The Maxi model is designed to over 10,000 fires. There are no breaking parts (plastic) or failure points (springs that can break). Additionally, the 4″ carbon steel hacksaw blade serves as striker but the blade also provides multi-functionality for cutting & fabricating materials (metals, plastics, wood).

The Faststrike Maxi is available from Solkoa.

Tags: Solkoa
Posted in SERE | No Comments »

Survival Straps

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Some of us are too busy (or lazy) to tie our own 550 cord bracelets and lanyards. Survival Straps takes the work out of it and offers a variety of woven products in over 900 combinations.

Their survival bracelets are made with over 24′ of 550 cord (wide variant). When I made them back in the day, I used a couple of knots at the end of the bracelet threaded through a loop as a closure and some guys got fancy and used a button from an old set of BDUs. But the survival bracelet features one of two unique closures. One is a side release buckle and the other is a stainless steel shackle. Both secure your bracelet and look sharp.

Two colors can be chosen for each product, one for the outer edge and the other for the inner portion of the weave. Survival Straps believes in their product so much that if you use it in a survival situation they will replace it for free.

We suggest you check out the entire lineup at www.survivalstraps.com. They offer numerous products and have an extensive library of photos to give you an idea of what your creation will look like.

Posted in Gadgets, SERE | No Comments »

The Colony

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

Recently, I began watching Discovery channel’s new series “The Colony”. It is an interesting take on reality TV pitting a cast of “average Joes” against the ruins of LA in a post-collapse scenario. However, I am not too sure how average the survivors are considering their number include a nurse, doctor, and several engineers. At any rate, each week, the cast faces a new challenge of building another contraption to improve their plight in addition to the standard fare of personality conflicts. Can’t we all just get along? The show makes you think and brings up some interesting solutions to such dilemmas as power generation and water purification.

All that said, in my opinion it is well worth your time. Check listings for show times.

Posted in SERE | No Comments »

“Out of Captivity – Surviving 1,967 Days in the Columbian Jungle” a Book Review

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

This is the amazing true story of 3 U S Government Contractor’s experiences, and ultimately their survival as hostages of the FARC – Marc Gonsalves, Tom Howes & Keith Stansell share this rare in depth look at what it was like to be held captive’s of the FARC. (FARC is Recognized as a Columbian Terrorist organization, and a long standing Marxist Rebel Group, the FARC are known to have more than 200 hostages held throughout the jungles of Columbia).

Their journey began when the surveillance aircraft they were flying in crash landed in the mountains of Columbia. Surviving an airplane crash would be considered by most to be an extraordinary feat. However what happened immediately after this crash, followed by their 5 years in captivity, would take years before the details would be revealed.

This book provides those details in depth. From the murder of two other personnel who survived the initial crash, the thousands of miles they would march from camp to camp, surviving military attacks, to meeting dozens of other FARC hostages and prisoners, as well as meeting FARC loyalists. They would see first hand the aftermath of changes in FARC leadership, FARC suicides, and how they survived day to day. Thru lack of food, the bugs and infections they combated, their extremely sparse living conditions, ragged clothing, the bonds they developed amongst each other, their shared experiences are a wealth of knowledge of for us all. Most importantly how they worked everyday to not only stay alive, but outwit the FARC every chance they could. Finally, the most daring and successful rescue attempt ever performed by a military organization, and ultimately their Freedom. 1,967 days in captivity.

If you work in the Intelligence field, are either an active military member or a DOD/Govt. contractor or someone who could find themselves in a SERE/SAR situation; this is one book you need to read!

A William Morrow Book, an Imprint of Harper Collins Publisher
ISBN 978-0-06-1769-52-8

Available from Amazon.

Posted in Admin, SERE | No Comments »

PowerFlares – An Alternative to Incendiary Flares

Saturday, April 11th, 2009

Invented by a police officer, the PowerFlare PF-200 Electronic LED Safety Light is designed for use by police, firefighters, EMTs, rescue first responders, military, and members of emergency response teams. The applications are limited only by your imagination but work well for marking routes, drop and landing zones, and items of interest. It can also be used for IFF, Personnel Recovery, as well as illumination. In addition to a Morse Code SOS blinking feature the PowerFlare has 10 User-selectable blinking patterns.

The advantages are obvious as PowerFlares overcome the myriad problems experienced with incendiary flares. Flares/fusees cause unintentional fires, in some cases spontaneous trunk fires, they often don’t light, leave toxic residue, and contaminate air and water. Additionally, flares are an expensive one time use item, not to mention that fusees burn out in in a mere 20 minutes.

On the other hand, PowerFlares can be used from 8 to 150 hours per battery (with a shelf life of up to 10 years) while the LED’s last for up to 100,000 hours. In addition, the systems are extremely impact resistant and can withstand the weight of a truck so they won’t need to be replaced.

PowerFlares are available in a variety of colors

Shells are available in Yellow, Orange, Blue, and OD. LEDs are offered in Amber, Blue, Green, Red, and White. Additionally, a special version of the PowerFlare is available with IR LEDs. The best value is the PF-200R 6-Pack Rechargeable System which comes with six of the PF-200R beacons packed in a recharging case. The recharger can be plugged into a vehicle hot point (12-30VDC) or wall outlet.

They also offer storage bags in UCP as well as other colors that carry four PowerFlares.

To order visit PowerFlare Distribution Center, Inc.

Posted in Comms, Lights, SERE | No Comments »

Smith & Wesson Model 500 Emergency Survival Revolver

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

Smith & Wesson has assembled a survival kit containing the things that will keep you alive and one item often overlooked; a gun.

Smith & Wesson Model 500 Emergency Survival Revolver

The centerpiece of the kit is a Smith & Wesson Model 500, 2 3/4″ Barrel with Bright Orange Hogue® recoil reducing grip. The kit comes packed in a waterproof Storm® Case and contains:
- Blast Match™ Firestarter and WetFire tender
- Saber Cut™ Saw with fabric sheath
- Jet Scream™ whistle
- Star Flash™ signal mirror
- Polaris® compass
- Two MPI Mylar Space® Emergency Blankets
- Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Liner Lock Folding Knife with Black Sheath
- “Bear Attacks of the Century – True Stories of Courage and Survival” book by Larry Mueller and Marguerite Reiss

Too bad they didn’t have one of these in the movie, “The Edge”. The book would have been most insightful.

The Survival Kit is available from Midwest Hunter Outlet.

Posted in SERE, weapons | No Comments »

The Best € 3,95 You’ll Ever Spend

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

Well maybe not, but this one is so odd we had to show everybody. Imagine a “Royal with Cheese” in a can. In German that’s “Cheeseburger in der Dose”. At any rate, it’s interesting to see what the European Backpacking community is eating.

Order from TREK’N EAT. If you dare…

Posted in SERE, Sustainment | No Comments »

TOPS Knives Survival Neck Wallet

Sunday, November 23rd, 2008

We live in an increasingly dangerous world. Travelers face the danger of detainment or isolation from safety. Even at home, it’s wise to have a handy survival kit for the unforeseen. TOPS Knives has developed an new line of survival products and assembled them in a survival kit based on the popular neck wallet.

The Survival Neck Wallet has a see through ID window, two interior pouches, one zippered money/credit card pouch and rear slot.

It contains a variety of tools including:

1. TOPS Survival Whistle independently tested at 126 decibels.

2. TOPS Pocket size Survival Saw.

3. A liquid filled compass.

4. The TOPS Firestarter with Ferrocium Rod and magnesium. Will start fires even when wet.

5. Traditional P-38 military can opener/Firestarter striker.

6. Offset Phillips/flat head screwdriver.

7. TOPS Dog Tag Signal Mirror.

8. LED Flashlight.

9. Lansky Quick Fix Sharpener.

Several of the items are exclusive TOPS products including the Survival Mirror which is designed to be worn on a neck chain. It is hard chrome and includes a sighting hole.

What really differentiates TOPS’ pouch from others is that the back features a 3M highly reflective backing which is ideal for signalling.

To order visit www.TOPSKnives.com.

Photos from TOPS Knives.

Tags: TOPS Knives
Posted in SERE | No Comments »

Ultimate Survival Technologies – Sparkie

Saturday, October 18th, 2008

The BlastMatch has been a mainstay in survival kits for many years. The BlastMatch™ utilzes a custom bar of high performance flint material which rotates 360 degrees to help prevent uneven wear. A tungsten carbide striker is built into the striker button. This combinatio0n generates three times the heat of a standard match. What’s more, it is weather proof.

UST is introducing a new product; the Sparkie. It is based on the same technology as the dependable Blastmatch but reduces it’s size and weight. Weighing in at an incredible one ounce, the Sparkie is designed to be used one-handed which can be crucial in a survival situation. The rubberized handle helps ensure you don’t lose your grip even when wet.

For more information contact Ultimate Survival Technologies.

Tags: SERE
Posted in Gadgets, Outdoor Retailer, SERE, Sustainment | No Comments »