tools: December 2009 Archives

There is a good chance you don't rely on rope for much in your day to day routine. In a RECESS situation, rope is an essential tool, and critical resource. Binding, pulling, towing, hanging, choking, snaring, and rappelling may become daily necessities. This bracelet is made from 550 Paracord. This Nylon cord is ~1/4" thin, won't rot or mildew, and can bear enough load to hoist the average American up or down an impassable ledge.

The bracelet is a great idea. It looks sharp and guarantees that no matter where you are, you've got enough paracord get you safely out of a two story window.

The eton FR160 is the packable multitool of their popular line of weather radios. It's around 2x3x6, and packs more utility than most gizmos costing eight times as much. At $30, seriously worth it. Get two and put one in your cage.

Integrated solar, multi-band radio, hand-crank dynamo, LED flashlight, and it'll charge anything you can stick in a USB port.

And yes, contrary to unreliable internet sources it will charge iPhone and iPod. I've done both.

LED lighting technology may save the planet from global warming, but we'll be f****d long before that happens. Fortunately, solar-powered LED flashlights have gotten so cheap you can routinely get them for $5 or less.

Buy TONS and keep them everywhere. When the grid goes down, things are going to seem really, really dark. Having a plentiful supply of these lights or something similar will keep you safe and fed.

Think about it; outside of ammunition, a renewable (read: your AA battery cache ran out in two months) light source is about the next most valuable piece of gear in a RECESS situation. I got mine in safety red, and I keep them in window sills, on the dash of my car, strapped to my pack, and the backups are in the cage.

I got this 1955 Buffalo Forge blower on eBay. It was one of four models recommended for use as a ventilator in your home survival shelter.