SIG MMG 338 Program Series

Archive for the ‘SERE’ Category

Forces Focus – Pararescue Rodeo

Sunday, October 12th, 2014

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Thirty-four pararescuemen from active duty, guard, and Reserve recently participated in a competition hosted by the pararescue schoolhouse, Detachment 1, 342nd Training Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, on September 22nd through 27th.

The pararescuemen were split into 8 teams, and were tested on land navigation skills, high-angle rope rescues, survival techniques, medical skills, weapons operations and overall physical endurance.

To see the rest of the photos, visit www.flickr.com/photos/usairforce/sets/72157648485594032

ITS Tactical – Mini Survival Kit (MSK)

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

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ITS Tactical’s Mini Survival Kit or MSK is a small pocket-sized survival kit that strikes a balance between being minimal and cost efficient while being functional in virtually any survival scenario. The majority of items in the MSK are individually poly-bagged for added water resistance.

The contents are as follows:

1x Ferrocerium (Ferro) Rod
5x Tinder-Quik Fire Tabs
6x Lifeboat Matches w/ Striker
1x Fresnel Lens
1x Mini Signal Mirror
1x Glow-in-the-Dark Button Compass – Grade AA
6x Feet of Brass Snare Wire
6x Feet of 188 lb. Test Kevlar Cordage
10x Water Purification Tabs
1x Emergency Water Bag (5” wide x 14” tall)
1x FRS (Folding Razor Saw)
1x Steri-Strip R1541 (1/4? x 3? – 3 strips)
1x Triple Antibiotic Packet
1x ITS Laser Engraved Logo on Silver Hinged Tin (3 3/4″ x 2 3/8″ x 7/8″)
1x Dri-Card Desiccant
6x Inch Strip of Duct Tape
2x Rigger’s Rubber Bands

www.itstactical.com/store/bushcraft/its-mini-survival-kit-msk

Ceramic Escape Knife from Gearward

Thursday, August 28th, 2014

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Seen here with other items, the Ceramic Escape Knife from Gearward makes a great emergency backup knife. The uses are limited but by your imagination.

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As you can see, it can be also stored in a wide variety of locations on your clothing, footwear and kit for retrieval and use in the most dire of circumstances. Being ceramic, it’s also not going to set off magnetometers.

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A simple storage compartment can easily be created with the aid of the CEK.

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Specs:
-Ceramic blade stays sharp 10x longer than steel
-Will not rust
-1.75″ x 0.4″ closed; 1.25″ cutting edge
-Weighs 2.5 grams – as much as a penny
-Made in Canada

gearward.com/products/ceramic-escape-knife

EJ Snyder Featured In American Survival Guide

Monday, August 25th, 2014

Who remembers American Survival Guide from the 1980s? It enjoyed a long run thanks to the survivalist movement that had sprung up. When the economy improved in the 90s, it was gone but it has found a new lease on life due to the rise of the prepper community.

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You may have heard of EJ Snyder from his two appearances on the Discovery Channel show “Naked and Afraid” as well as other TV appearances. Some of you may know him from his 25 years of military service as he retired as a Sergeant Major from the US Army.

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In the latest issue of American Survival Guide, EJ shares his top 10 tips for staying alive. He isn’t all Hollywood. EJ is an instructor at the US Army’s SERE school at Ft Bragg. While it might be old hat for some, it’s worth a read.

VSSL Outdoor Utility Tools

Monday, August 18th, 2014

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With the adoption of LEDs, the traditional battery-and-bulb flashlight became largely obsolete, as LEDs are capable of producing light with reduced power requirements. VSSL Outdoor Utility Tools were created to utilize the form factor of these traditional flashlights by using a small form LED light and converting the extra handle space into storage for outdoor and survival gear.

Made from MilSpec 6061 seamless extruded aluminum, the VSSL is a waterproof 8″ x 2″ tube which comes standard with a dual mode LED flashlight and an oil filled compass. VSSLs are currently being offered in three configurations: Supplies, First Aid, and Shelter, which feature pre-packaged components. The Supplies configuration, for example, includes the following items, stored in tins specifically designed to fit in the VSSL:

• 4 hour pure Canadian beeswax candle

• Razor blade

• 6 Aquatabs® water purification tablets

• Wire saw (high tensile, 60lb working strength with handle straps)

• Aluminum beadless emergency whistle

• Waterproof matches

• Tinder Quik® fire starters

• Fishing Gear

• Signalling Mirror

• Kevlar® rope (150lb breaking strength)

• Reflective trail markers

• P38 military GI Type can opener

• First aid supplies

Made and assembled in Canada, using components from Ireland, India, USA, China, Mexico and Canada. Currently available for pre-order, with an expected ship date sometime in Fall 2014. If you’re interested in picking up one for yourself, they currently have promo code PREORDER20, which will save you 20% off your order.

www.vsslgear.com

OR Summer Market – Zubin Axe

Thursday, August 14th, 2014

The Zubin Axe caught my eye as I walked through the maze of booths in the three outdoor pavilions. It consists of a hiking staff and a series of optional heads that change the function of the device.

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Heads include Axe, Saw, Slingshot, Spear and Fishing Spear.

zubinaxe.com

OR Summer Market – Self Reliance Outfitters

Friday, August 8th, 2014

Self Reliance Outfitters is the retail arm of Pathfinder School LLC. Dave Canterbury is the principle of Pathfinder School. You may recognize his name from the show “Dual Survival”.

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Dave has written a new book called “Bushcraft 101” which ships the second week in September. I asked Dave about the book and he said he wanted to focus on bushcraft and the outdoor living skills that keep you alive. His is a no nonsense approach that focuses less on gadgets and more on skills. The book covers the 10 Cs with special emphasis on the 5 Cs of Cutting Tool, Combustion Device, Container, Cover and Cordage. If you’re not familiar with these items and how they relate to survival this is a great book for you.

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Dave Canterbury can also be seen on the new Hunt Channel show “Pathfinder Outdoor Journal” which is a historical look at how outdoorsman have lived and what they carried over the centuries. You can see past episodes at huntchannel.tv.

www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com

Base Camp X – Fire Piston

Tuesday, August 5th, 2014

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The Base Camp X “Prometheus” Fire Piston is an old world technology that uses air friction to ignite tinder, creating an ember for fire building. The Fire Piston is made from hand turned hickory, with the pressure relief valve, lanyard loop, and internal shaft made from brass. Each Fire Piston comes with a supply of char cloth tinder and a hand cut leather lanyard. If you’re curious about how the Fire Piston functions, the below video shows it in action.

basecampx.com/shop/fire-piston