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Riverwalker’s Gear Review Instafire

Being able to start a fire is one of the best skills you can develop. It also usually requires some form of kindling or fire-starting material to make the task of building a fire easier and simpler. You also want to get that fire started quickly before it gets dark. Here’s a quick review of Instafire.

RW, Jr. left me in charge of the firewood for a short boondocking trip we were on and unfortunately my wood pile had gotten wet from a brief rain shower the day before. Wet or even damp wood can be extremely difficult to start a fire without some help along the way. It was time to check out the firestarter product from Instafire.

Instafire is fairly inert and very safe to handle. Although you should be able to start several fires with a single package, I opted to use the whole package. It does start easily with a match or a lighter and doesn’t flare up like charcoal starter or other readily flammable types of firestarters. It comes in a fairly rugged package that still manages to be easily opened by hand. A pile of the Instafire mixture was dumped in my hand and then added to the wood in my fire pit. With a quick flick of my Bic, I had a decent flame going right away.

It also burns really hot!

Advantages of Instafire:

!. It’s very safe to handle (non-toxic) and doesn’t impart fumes to items being cooked over the fire.

2. It lights easily with a match or lighter. These are the two most common means of starting a fire used by most people on a regular basis in most circumstances.

3. It works well for starting charcoal without the usual fumes from charcoal starter or ashes blowing in the wind from using newspaper.

3. It burns extremely hot and handles large chunks of damp wood with ease.

Disadvantages of Instafire:

!. It can be a little pricey but is available in larger containers to reduce the cost.

2. Although the package stated you could start several fires with a single package, it’s difficult to gauge how much is needed when your wood is wet or damp.

Instafire worked really well to get my fire started. It had no problem with getting my damp wood chunks burning. In less than thirty minutes, we had a decent fire. I probably wouldn’t use it on a regular basis but having some handy in case your firewood is wet or damp couldn’t hurt. It can also help if you have someone that has a low tolerance for some of the other types of chemical firestarters.

Got firestarter?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Gear Review Instafire

Riverwalker’s Book Review SAS Guide to Desert Survival

From the introduction to the final page with the Five Golden Rules of Survival, the SAS Guide to Desert Survival by Barry Davies covers the major factors that can affect your survival. This is a compact guide to surviving not only in a desert environment but a comprehensive guide that covers all the basic items and more that will be needed for your survival.

The contents are broken down into not only the basic requirements for shelter, water, food, and fire but also include helpful tips about the equipment you will need, medical priorities, and survival medicine.

It’s also compact enough to fit easily in your backpack or bug-out bag but where space may be at a premium. With over 150 pages of comprehensive information, it is presented in a useful format that allows anyone to access needed information quickly and effortlessly. This is one item that should be included in every backpack.

While the book gives many useful and worthwhile tips for survival in an extreme desert environment (or Texas summers), it also contains a wealth of additional survival information that is suitable for both the novice and the more experienced outdoorsman. This is information which could play a critical part in your survival.

From knots to fire-making techniques, the SAS Desert Guide to Survival is full of useful tips and plenty of illustrations to guide you in your quest for survival. It’s also available at a very affordable price that won’t wreck your budget or break your piggy bank.

Got heat?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Book Review SAS Guide to Desert Survival

Riverwalker’s Top Ten Alternate Uses for Lip Balm

There are numerous items that we frequently use in our everyday lives that frequently have multiple uses. Many of these uses aren’t readily apparent but can be a big help in a crisis or an emergency when your resources may be limited. One extremely handy everyday item that most people carry is lip balm . That small little tube can do a lot more than keep your lips moisturized.

Most lip balms are a petroleum-based product that also includes additional beneficial ingredients. It’s also a small enough item to be carried in your pocket, your purse or your first aid kit. Here are a few alternate uses for lip balm.

Top Ten Alternate Uses for Lip Balm

1. Treat minor cuts and scrapes on the skin with a thin coating of lip balm.

2. Use as a lubricant for stubborn zippers on your gear or equipment bags.

3. Rub on a cotton ball or gauze pad to make an expedient firestarter.

4. Insert a make-shift wick to make an expedient candle for emergencies.

5. Rub on other exposed areas like the ears to protect them from the cold.

6. Coat your shoe or boot laces to keep them secure and prevent untying.

7. Use to coat irritated skin areas on your feet before a blister can form.

8. Use to waterproof and seal damaged or exposed seams on tents.

9. Coat your knife blade to protect it from excess moisture in wet conditions.

10. Use a chunk of lip balm to seal a rifle barrel to keep out debris or moisture.

This is by no means all the uses for lip balm that are possible and you shouldn’t limit your resources by thinking in finite terms.

Got an alternate use for lip balm?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Top Ten Alternate Uses for Lip Balm

Riverwalker’s Book Review The Wayward Journey

What would you do if you found yourself a long ways from home when all hell breaks loose? In his first book,The Wayward Journey , Nathan Hale Jefferson reveals how the problem of being separated from family can have a profound effect on everyone. From the perspective of the main character, John, a number of scenarios are examined that reveal John’s determination to get back home. With limited resources and even more limited options, John battles numerous obstacles in a determined struggle to return home and be reunited with his family.

Through the characters in his book an attempt is made to offer solutions and insight into the possible problems one might face in this scenario and the efforts that may be required to persevere through these extreme circumstances in order to survive. It does make you stop and think “what if” this should happen to you.

Nathan Hale Jefferson also keeps you up-to-date on the situation at home and offers a real life view of the deteriorating conditions in John’s neighborhood. This includes the main bad guy, Garrett, who seeks to empower himself through his own devious efforts, as well as the misfortunes of others. This gives you a lot of insight into who your real friends are and who is really the enemy. He also offers insight into how things might change on a global basis if the worst should happen.

The book is a quick and easy read which will make you think about things from a different perspective. With only a couple of places where the editing could have been better, you will find this book very thought-provoking. This is a very good first effort and there is a sequel in progress (The Fires at Home) which should be just as good, if not better.

Got Wayward Journey?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Book Review The Wayward Journey

Riverwalker’s Book Review Fight Flight or Hide The Guide to Surviving a Mass Shooting

Here is an excerpt from Fight, Flight, or Hide. The Guide to Surviving a Mass Shootingthat really explains our responsibility in order to survive a mass shooting.

“The simple fact is that we, as a populace, need to become the solution to the problem.”

John Forsythe gives common sense advice on the actions that we can take as individuals to survive a mass shooting. He gives relevant and meaningful advice of how and when you should take cover, flee or take the fight to your attacker. Whether you are seeking to avoid being a victim, determining the proper actions to take as a guardian or quite possibly be an unintended hero, John gives simple, common sense advice that can be an invaluable part of helping you to become a part of the solution to the problem. You will also have a significantly better chance of being a survivor.

No matter your level of expertise, good advice is always useful. This book provides the good advice necessary to increase your chances of surviving a mass shooting. If you find yourself with the time to read only one book, it should be this one.

Riverwalker gives Fight, Flight, or Hide. The Guide to Surviving a Mass Shootinga thumbs up!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Book Review Fight Flight or Hide The Guide to Surviving a Mass Shooting

Riverwalker’s Gear UST Bug Tent and Tarp Emergency Shelter Combo for Your Daypack

Normally on a day hike, you don’t really think about carrying shelter. The weather in Texas can fool you and it usually means someone is going to get wet. Although temperatures stay fairly warm through most of the year, there is a big chance of getting caught in a rainstorm. You might also want to stay out overnight if your sightseeing kept you from completing the entire hike you had planned.

Ultimate Survival Technologies Base Bug Tent

Ultimate Survival Technologies Base All Weather Tent Tarp

The UST Bug Tent and Tarp make a great lightweight addition to your day pack. It will work to keep you dry (drier?) until the rain lets up or give you a place to rest without feeding those blood-sucking mosquitoes all night. These work great for use as an emergency shelter when day hiking.

The tent poles can be easily folded and strapped to the side of your pack. You can also opt to carry the tarp only. I also carry a small nylon tarp to use as a ground cloth (see pic) to protect a lightweight sleeping bag that I also carry. With a little food and a full water reservoir, my day pack weighs slightly less than 15 pounds on average. Regular backpacking or a colder climate would require something more substantial. My regular backpacking bag runs about twice the weight of my day pack (30 to 32 pounds).

It’s a lightweight combination that can be easily carried in your day pack and be there if you need it. Never hurts to have a backup plan in case nature decides to hand you a different set of circumstances on a sunny day.

Got shelter?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Gear UST Bug Tent and Tarp Emergency Shelter Combo for Your Daypack

Riverwalker’s Gear Test and Review Stealth Flashlights

Flashlights are a great way to extend your operational abilities past normal daylight hours. Most are extremely portable and are simple to operate. Many also include additional features which can further enhance their usefulness. Sometimes required activities can’t wait until daylight and you are going to need some form of lighting to assist you with getting your work done. There’s also less chance of a mishap when traveling at night becomes necessary. You will need to have a good flashlight handy to accomplish these goals.

This review will cover two different types of Stealth flashlights with a very unique feature. They also function as a stun gun for personal defense and protection. This can add an additional layer of protection for you and increase the level of your personal security.

The two different models of Stealth flashlights and their different features we will be testing are the Model HW 1101 (medium size) and the HW 1108 (larger version). The picture above gives you a reference point in order to see the difference in the size of these two flashlights when compared with a pocket-sized LED flashlight that is fairly common and found in stores most everywhere.

Stealth Flashlight Stun Model HW 1101

Basic Features:

Stun capacity rated at 3,000,000 volts

Constructed of premium aircraft grade aluminum alloy.

Powerful 180 lumens LED Flashlight

Approximate 2 hour constant run time on single charge.

Recharging Hardware (car and wall chargers) included.

Two Light Settings: Dim and Bright

Attached lanyard included.

Compact and lightweight size (approximately 9 ounces).

Color: Black

Price: $40.00 plus shipping

The Review: Stealth Flashlight Stun Model HW 1101

Similar in size to your average flashlight, the lightweight and very compact Model HW 1101 does fit nicely in a glove compartment or console in your vehicle. This enables you to keep it handy for when it’s needed. It also can be easily carried in your back pocket or in a bag or purse. You may simply want to keep one by the door just in case you get an unwelcome visitor. This is important if you need to access it quickly in order to use the personal defense stun feature. This model also includes a wall charger and a car charger. Both charging units were tested and worked as expected. The cords were of sufficient length to make the recharging process quite simple. Having both a wall and car charger was an added bonus. The case of the flashlight was easy to grip and felt very comfortable. The switches were also readily accessible.

The stun feature (3,000,000 volts) was fairly localized when tested. Unfortunately, Mrs. RW wouldnt volunteer (more like refused...lol) to help out on this part and said this check was all mine. When used on myself, the stun was fairly localized but I did suffer a quick reaction to the stun when tested on my bare foot. It definitely got my attention even with the localized effect. Suffice it to say, this test was only performed once with the HW 1101. The stun feature only works when the flashlight is off and the slide switch on the unit is placed in the full forward position.

The flashlight worked extremely well when tested at night. It easily light up objects at a 100 yards and made them easily identifiable. The 180 lumens LED worked better than expected. The dim setting worked well also but the range was decreased by about half when tested. The lower setting does allow you to conserve battery life and extend the amount of time for working with light. This model also features a replaceable battery.

The price of this unit was also a pleasant surprise and had a very reasonable cost of only $40 plus shipping. This is important if you are on a tight budget and want to keep your gear costs at a minimum. Overall, the Stealth Flashlight Stun Model HW 1101 is a reasonably priced, compact and lightweight LED flashlight that has the additional ability to function in a personal defense capacity which makes it a unique multi-function tool.

Stealth Flashlight Stun Model HW 1108

Basic Features:

Dimensions: 9 1/2" L x 1 3/4" W

Stun capacity rated at 5,000,000 volts

Powerful 180 Lumens Flashlight

LED light good for approximately 100,000 hours.

Built-In Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery

Recharging Hardware (wall charger only) included.

Approximate 2 hour constant run time on single charge.

Battery is rechargeable up to approximately 1000 times.

Metal Belt Clip attached.

Lightweight (approximately 11 ounces).

Constructed of premium aircraft grade aluminum alloy.

Three Light Settings: Dim, Explosive Pulse (Strobe), Bright

Safety Switch Installed in the Base of the Flashlight to Prevent Accidental Stun

Color: Black

Price: $45.00 plus shipping.

The Review: Stealth Flashlight Stun Model HW 1108

The old saying “Bigger is Better!” can be applied to the Model HW 1108. This flashlight easily lighted objects at well over a hundred yards with ease. The three different lighting modes all worked as expected and the strobe function was an added bonus. The dim setting was also important since it allows you to still use the flashlight while conserving battery power.

While it won’t fit in your vehicle glove compartment, it does fit easily into the side pocket on your vehicle door or a large center console. While quite a bit larger, it weighs in at approximately 11 ounces and feels a lot heavier than its actual weight. If the battery went dead, it could still function as a nifty little club.

Due to its larger size, this model is equipped with a sturdy belt clip. This it allows it to be easily carried on a utility belt or even clipped to your backpack. The clip holds the flashlight securely while allowing it to be removed quickly and easily when needed. The belt clip is fixed and not removable. The design of the flashlight also has a very nice feel to the grip as did the HW 1101 model.

The Model HW 1108 comes with a wall charger only. The supplied power cord does come up a little short in the length department. You will need to have the flashlight in a vertical position in order to recharge it. If the charging cord had been somewhat longer, it would have allowed it to be charged in a safer and more secure horizontal position. This would eliminate the possibility of your flashlight getting knocked over during recharging.

The Model HW 1108 does have a separate switch that’s allows the stun feature to be turned off for additional safety. It is located in a recessed area on the end of the flashlight next to the recharging port. This is a great feature when you consider its higher stun capacity of 5,000,000 volts. The stun feature on the HW 1108 was also tested and my bare foot once again felt the full force of this feature. While also a similarly localized effect as the Model HW 1101, this did get a “knee jerk” reaction on my part. The stun features works really well. This test was also performed only once.

While less compact and only slightly more expensive at a cost of $45 plus shipping, the Model HW 1108 offers a safety switch, extended flashlight range, increased stun capacity and a strobe feature. The only major limitation is that it only offers a wall charger and the battery is integrated into the flashlight and is not replaceable by the user. It still affords an excellent option for a multi-function tool that can add to your personal security and defense.

Due to the stun features, these flashlights are not water-proof and can be damaged if submerged. Additionally, both of these flashlights carry a 30 day return policy and 90 day money back or exchange guaranty for any component related issues. You can purchase either of these flashlights by clicking on the links in the article or by visiting StealthStunGuns.com .

NOTICE

Please consult your State laws before purchasing. The vast majority of states do not require a permit to carry a stun gun but some states do have restrictions in regards to stun guns.

You can visit this link to check stun gun restrictions in your state:

http://stealthstunguns.com/stun_gun_laws

Ready to light something up?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Gear Test and Review Stealth Flashlights

Riverwalker’s Book Review Tribes by John S Wilson

“Tribes” is John S. Wilson’s prequel to his other survival novels Joshua and Traveler. In this latest edition, John manages to create some thought-provoking survival scenarios that are about as close to what can happen when the grid goes down and everything goes to hell. With a new set of characters, John has been able to create an entirely different set of circumstances to test his new main character, Tom, and his ability to lead a small group in his community as they struggle to survive.

From the paranoid to the psychotic to downright mean and sadistic characters, you will have a lot better understanding of what may happen should you face a similar survival situation.

Sometimes, survival isnt as easy as you may think.

Riverwalker gives ”Tribes”a thumbs up!

Got “Tribes”?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Book Review Tribes by John S Wilson

Riverwalker’s Book Review and Gear Giveaway The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide

In his latest book, “The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide”, Creek Stewart has put together a rather impressive and unique wilderness survival guide. This survival guide utilizes a theme based on a very popular series of books and a major motion picture. Hollywood special effects and make-up crews can create on camera sequences that almost make survival look easy. In real life, you will need a lot more to survive. This book showcases many of the survivals skills and tricks utilized by the characters in the movie and gives a thorough explanation of how to develop those same survival skills. It is having a proper working knowledge of survival skills that will ultimately keep you alive.

One of the things that is fairly unique to this book is the number of illustrations it contains. It is positively loaded with pictures from start to finish and this makes visualizing the skills being taught much easier. It also makes it an excellent guide for younger people who are quite likely to be more “visually” orientated. If you like illustrations, this survival guide has plenty from start to finish.

Building a primitive survival shelter is one of the more impressive sections of the book. Techniques for building a debris hut are clearly illustrated so that even the novice survivalist can build an excellent shelter for their survival. These shelter instructions are very good.

Even if you haven’t read the trilogy or seen the movie, this is still an excellent survival guide with many useful tips and tricks for developing your primitive survival skills. The subject matter is laid out in an easy to understand and organized manner that closely follows the table of contents. It also has a very impressive index that can quickly guide you to the location of relevant survival information you may be seeking. This also allows you to review specific survival topics quickly, easily and in a very precise manner. Creek has also included a section that lists numerous survival kit resources that will allow you to find additional survival gear or information that you may need.

Creek also includes a number of “Survival Quick Tips” throughout the book that can help you further enhance your survival skills. These tips cover a wide variety of survival techniques that can be of value to anyone reading or using his book.

All things considered, this is an excellent survival guide that is well organized, with easily referenced topics and numerous illustrations to help the reader have a much better understanding of the survival skills being outlined and taught in the book. This can certainly help to put the odds in your favor.

Whether you are new to the game of survival or youre a seasoned "pro", this book will help the novice develop new skills and the more experienced survivalist to reinforce their current skills.

Riverwalker gives “The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide ” by Creek Stewart a thumbs up!

Special Reader’s Bonus - Free Survival Gear Giveaway

As a special bonus to my readers, Stealth Survival is also having a survival gear giveaway sponsored by Creek Stewart and Willow Haven Outdoor. Two lucky readers will win a multi-function survival tool, a bandanna, a drawstring backpack and a free copy of “The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide” signed by the author.

In addition, the winners will receive an added bonus. A signal mirror from Riverwalker and Stealth Survival will be included in the gear the winners receive. This is the same signal mirror featured in the recent series of posts on “Building a Survival Kit.”

How do you win? It’s simple and easy. Leave a comment on this post with a “Survival Quick Tip” of your own that you feel others may be able to use. That’s all you need to do in order to have a chance at winning the gear giveaway. Two winners will be chosen from the responses received and will be announced in a special post on June 1, 2013.

You may also want to check out Creek Stewart’s first book, ”Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag: Your 72-Hour Disaster Survival Kit”. This is another excellent book that you may wish to include in your survival library.

Creek Stewart is the owner of Willow Haven Outdoor, a Survival and Disaster Preparedness Training Facility located in central Indiana.

Are you ready to put the odds in your favor?

Then let the “games” begin!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Disclaimer: This book is unofficial and unauthorized. It is not authorized, approved, licensed or endorsed by Suzanne Collins, her publishers, or Lionsgate Entertainment Corporation.

Riverwalker’s Book Review and Gear Giveaway The Unofficial Hunger Games Wilderness Survival Guide