Locating Water In Mountain Terrain

Water is one of your most urgent needs in a survival situation. You can' t live long without it, especially in hot areas where you lose water rapidly through perspiration. Even in cold areas, you need a minimum of 2 liters of water each day to maintain efficiency.

More than three-fourths of your body is composed of fluids. Your body loses fluid as a result of heat, cold, stress, and exertion. To function effectively, you must replace the fluid your body loses. So, one of your first goals is to obtain an adequate supply of water.

Mountainous terrain provides a good possibility for locating water. Try to locate streams or springs of water in the draws coming off hill tops. Large green vegetation in pastures that contain a large variety of trees, besides the evergreen trees, provide an indication that there may be surface water nearby or under ground water close to the surface.

Game trails may also lead to water. But they could go on for miles before leading up to the water source.

In the early morning hours when dew is on the grass you can tie a rag or t-shirt around the lower part of your legs and walk through the grass. The cloth will soak up the moisture and then can be wrung out into a container or directly into your mouth. The moisture may taste a little dirty, but its better than nothing.

Dew can also be collected off of non-poisonous leaves from trees. Rain water can be collected from rock crevices. If you are in a jungle type mountain terrain, water can be collected from the hanging vines. Do not drink water from vines that look milky. To get the water from the vine, cut the bottom of the vine completely off and then make a notch approximately 3 feet up the vine. This releases suction in the vine allowing water to flow out of the vine.

Green bamboo will contain drinkable water in each of its sections.

A clear plastic bag can be tied over tree leaves and secured. Water condensation will build up on this inside of the plastic and will drip to the lowest end of the bag. Make sure you use a tree that does not have poisonous leaves.

Old homesteads that are abandoned and miles from civilization may have under ground cisterns. These cisterns may have water, although it will probably be stagnant and dirty. Use purification techniques to make the water safe to drink.

The following fluids should never be substituted for water: blood, urine, sea water.

Stay Prepared! Stay Alive!

Charlie

M6 Scout Survival Rifle Mod



M6 Scout Before Mods

M6 Mod

The M6 Scout features a folding stock which is easily detached via a quick-release pivot pin. An M6 breaks down in less than 5 seconds to a very compact overall length of 18", providing easy storage on a boat, small plane, tractor or recreational vehicle. A specially designed trigger guard allows conventional finger firing, or full hand firing while wearing mittens or heavy gloves.

Features:

Rifle Barrel:
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle or .22 Hornet
Twist: 1:15" RH (.22 Long Rifle); 1:13" RH (.22 Hornet)
Grooves: 6

Shotgun Barrel:
Caliber: .410 gauge / 2 1/2" or 3" shot shells or 3" slugs

Weight: 4 lbs. (approx.)
Overall Length: 32"
Barrel Length: 18 1/2"
Sight Radius: 16 1/8"

What I did not like about the M6 was the small amount of .410 ammo that is carried in the ammo compartment. This led me to make my own modifications to correct this short coming. I used 1/2 copper tubing cut to the length of the barrel and then crimped the bottom ends of both tubes. I was opting to use PVC tubing to keep the overall weight to a minimum, but figured a stronger tube would come in handy somewhere down the road.

If you use 3" rounds, you can fit 4 rounds in each tube. If you use the 2 1/2 " rounds you can fit 5 rounds in each tube. I opted to use 4 rounds of the 3", #4 shot rounds for hunting turkey, grouse, pheasant, duck and other game of that size. The 3" shells provide a little more push and distance needed to get the pellets to the target.

My other choice of shot sizes were #6 for rabbit, squirrel and other game of that size and #7 1/2 for use on quail, dove, snakes and other game of that size. In the original ammo holder in the butt of the rifle I have 4 each of 3" rifled slugs. I would use these for small deer, pig, self defense and things of that nature.

I would opt to use the .22 LR rounds for farther distance prey like rabbit or pig when I can't get close enough to hit them with the .410 rounds.

I could also opt to use one tube to hold a small survival kit, which would include a fishing setup in the event I'm near a watering hole that has fish.

I wrapped electrical tape around both copper tubing's, which could provide me tape in a survival situation. Both tubes were then secured to the side of the barrels with a couple turns of electrical tape and then secured by the paracord windings. This provides me with about 25 feet of paracord I could use in an emergency.

By adding the tubing, not only did I gain more ammo, I also provided a more comfortable grip on the barrel. I really did not like the narrow fit of the barrels, but now I'm happy with the feel. The rifle is a few pounds or ounces heavier, but does not distract from its intended use.

This M6 is even designed to have a scope mounted on it. This is an option I may look into at a later date.

It's a shame they don't make this weapon any longer. Maybe someday they will make a similar or better version. In the mean time you may be able to find one for sale on the Internet or gun shows. Mine is NOT for sale.

This is an example of what you can do when you put your mind to it. In choosing your survival gear, you should pick items that have multiple uses. An example would be a Leatherman or Gerber multi-tool. These have many uses under one hood. In making the modifications to my M6, I now have many uses of this rifle as a result.

Stay Prepared! Stay Alive!

Charlie

How To Locate and Identify Wild Asparagus

Only young asparagus shoots are commonly eaten: once the buds start to open, the shoots quickly turn woody and become strongly flavored.

Asparagus is low in calories and is very low in sodium. It is a good source of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium and zinc, and a very good source of dietary fiber, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, rutin, niacin, folic acid, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese and selenium, as well as chromium, a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells. The amino acid asparagine gets its name from asparagus, the asparagus plant being rich in this compound.

The shoots are prepared and served in a number of ways around the world, typically as an appetizer or vegetable side dish. In Asian-style cooking, asparagus is often stir-fried. Cantonese restaurants in the United States often serve asparagus stir-fried with chicken, shrimp, or beef, and also wrapped in bacon. Asparagus may also be quickly grilled over charcoal or hardwood embers. It is also used as an ingredient in some stews and soups.

Asparagus can also be pickled and stored for several years. Some brands may label shoots prepared this way as "marinated".

The bottom portion of asparagus often contains sand and dirt, so thorough cleaning is generally advised in cooking it.

Medicinal:

Nutrition studies have shown asparagus is a low-calorie source of folate and potassium. Its stalks are high in antioxidants. "Asparagus provides essential nutrients: six spears contain some 135 micrograms (µg) of folate, almost half the adult RDI (recommended daily intake), 20 milligrams of potassium," notes an article in Reader's Digest. Research suggests folate is key in taming homocysteine, a substance implicated in heart disease. Folate is also critical for pregnant women, since it protects against neural tube defects in babies. Several studies indicate getting plenty of potassium may reduce the loss of calcium from the body.

"Asparagus has long been recognized for its medicinal properties," wrote D. Onstad, author of Whole Foods Companion: A Guide for Adventurous Cooks, Curious Shoppers and Lovers of Natural Foods. "Asparagus contains substances that act as a diuretic, neutralize ammonia that makes us tired, and protect small blood vessels from rupturing. Its fiber content makes it a laxative, too."

(source:wikipedia.com)

Stay Prepared! Stay Alive!

Charlie