Survival Excavation

I finally got around to getting a survival kit set up, and bringing it along with me. I find it invaluable. But, there seems to be a dirth of info on digging equipment. Does anyone have any advice on that? Currently I have a geological hammer and a spade with no handle (broke off). Anymore ideas? Should I add a shovel, that would be hard to fit in my rucksack.

Im not thinking of doing anything major with them, maybe a latrine, solar still, etc. Have I dug myself in a hole? <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

A true NATO mil-spec entrenching tool is hard to beat - and heavy to carry.

Read Dougs review of shovels inthe gear section. The U Dig it trowel isn't cheep , but the best for it's size. Military entrenching tools are very heavy but again robust and at least compact. A good source is www. majorsurplusnsurvival.com as with everything avoid knockoffs and buy nothing less than as new or excellent condition. Digging solar sills is a waste of energy. Digging latrines, drainage for a shelter in wet weather, constructing a snow shelter, accessing food( roots, grubs in downed trees,shellfish when safe) are just a few uses.

I have yet to find a more versatile digging tool than the old trifold entrenching tools. I don't carry one in my daysack or when hiking because of the weight. I keep one in bot of my BOB which weigh in at around 45 pounds including a weeks worth of food.

I've tried small trowels before, but if you really had to dig a hole in dirt or small rocks the E-tool can work as a shovel, pick ax, and more.

Still, my digging experience is limited to digging tunnels and fox holes and filling sandbags. I've yet to dig out humans from a building collaspe. In which case I would probably need a good wrecking bar, chainsaw, etc.

I have yet to build a snow cave or any type of shelter using a small trowel. I can't see any need for trowels inclusion.

An excelent shovel I found is the Special Forces Shovel by Cold Steel.They wiegh around 27 ounces and are fifty centemeters long.They do not fold but are very robust.I have used it as a light ax/machete and as a hammer for tent stakes.It is bigger than a trowel and smaller than a shovel.A good compromise IMHO.By the way they retail for around $20.00 and I have found them in boy scout stores.Cold Steel's web site iswww.ltspecpro.com.Sorry I do not know how to do dirrect link.

http://www.ltspecpro.com/


http://www.coldsteel.com/


http://www.coldsteel.com/92sfs.html