SIG SAUER - Never Settle

Archive for the ‘SERE’ Category

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.

Jakpak ComponentsJacket
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 - How it works

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.

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.

Manta Strobe

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

Manta Strobe

To order visit VliteUSA.com.

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.

20sub3's Game Management Unit Map

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.

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.

Master Lock Diagram

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.

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.

Popular Mechanics Beyond Survival

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?

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.

Handcuff Key

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….

Mayflower E&R Bag

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

MRC E&R Bag in UCP

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.

MRC E&R Bag's external flat pouches designed to discretely carry six M4 or similar sized magazines

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.

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“.

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.