Joseph's Tips

[Hikenhunter]

Tip#25 10/27/12---- In an earlier tip I suggested hanging key rings, also known as split rings on all the zippers of your pack for easier grasping to open and close them. Another thing that you can do is hang alligator clips on the rings. The clips can then be used like clothes pins to hold any wet socks or other clothing you might hand wash while on the trail, in order for it to dry as you hike. Alligator clips have sharp teeth that can damage the fabric so I suggest 1st getting clips with the smallest teeth possible and 2nd cut a length of aquarium air tubing and sliding it over the teeth to protect your clothes from damage.

[Pathfinder1]

Oct. tip #428

Hi...


Hydration

Water serves many important functions in the body, like regulating your temperature through sweating, transporting nutrients, lubricating joints and facilitating digestion. Keeping properly hydrated is a must while doing physical activities outside. Measuring hydration levels is an individual science because it depends on a person's metabolic rate, body mass and size, and external environmental conditions like temperature and humidity.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, a body-water deficit greater than 2% of a person's body weight causes a level of dehydration than can adversely affect performance. As a general rule of thumb, maintain your optimal performance by drinking at least a liter of water while doing moderate activities in moderate conditions.

[_Jack]

Hey guys,

I've been working on putting all of these tips in a pdf. I've attached the file so far. Of course I will do final editing on it after the end of the month.

The tips in the pdf are organized by the forum member, and in order of when the first tip was made in the thread. (You'll see what I mean when you look at the file )

Also, I made a few corrections for typos, etc. And if you see any mistake or anything you think needs to be changed, let me know.

[Hikenhunter]

Tip#26 10/28/12----When car camping set up a pop up canopy at least 12x12 with walls that can be tied up during the day and dropped at night to keep the morning dew off or during rain to keep yourselves dry. I set my camp kitchen up along one side of the canopy and the picknick table as close to the other side as possible. This is our central gathering area. It helps cut down on traffic in and out of the tents. All eating is done here. No eating or drinking is allowed in the tents! Any crafts the kiddies might decide to do are done here as well.To raise and lower the sides you can roll them up and tie them off to the framework around the top of the canopy.

[Hikenhunter]

Good job jack. I can't wait untill the PDF is updated completely.

[Cappy]

Ya gotta be careful when in brush with those keyrings on ya zippers they snag and unzip a compartment while pushing through brush. Trust me not a good thing. I usta just knot a piece of leather string like a shoe lace pass it through the hole ad let it hang. No loops to snag that way. As far as roach clips they do make clothes pins but I usta prefer using them for what the name implies.

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


In the water...

Which are the signs that someone is drowning?

A. Splashing and waving of arms.

B. Shouting.

C. Silence.

D. Upright posture.


Most drowning victims don't make a peep...!!

[charley]

Foil wrapped potatoes cooked in the coals are great. MMMMM!! You can cut the time down by cooking the potatoes most of the way at home in the mike crow wave.

[Hikenhunter]

Tip#27 10/29/12---- For those of us who take meds on a regular basis, list all the drugs you take, the amounts and frequency on an index card. Be sure to include your name,emergency contact information, your Doctors name, address and phone number. list all meds , rather they are prescription or OTC, and even list any vitamins you take on a regular basis. Laminate the cards and keep them with you at all times. In an emergency the people at the hospital will need to know these things and you can speed up the process for everyone if you can pull these cards out and hand them to them. This tip is not only for when you are in the outdoors but for all times. IMPORTANT!: You MUST includeyour name on this card or if you can't communicate with medical personell they will not know if the list is yours or someone elses. If you do not have access to a laminator you can use clear shelf paper remember to leave at least 1/4 inch border around the outside of thev card.

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


Tip #next

One of the easiest survival shelters to make is the A-frame; open in the front, and closed in the back. The simplest type can be made by leaning branches against a tree. Once they are in place, they can be covered with evergreen branches, tree bark, sod, moss, your poncho or tarp, etc.

When building a shelter, don't attempt to overbuild it. One of the best things you can do is to build one just big enough for what you need it for, which will help to keep you warmer during the night.

The shelter's front can be closed with your pack, or with elements used to build the shelter.