So, you've got your shelter built next to a decent water source, a good little fire going with enough wood for the night, you've eaten and made yourself as comfortable as possible. Is there anything you have in your psk etc. that can help you pass the time and lift your spirits?

I always thought a simple little harmonica would come in handy. Some folks recommend a set of playing cards or something to read. What, if anything, do any of you keep in your survival gear for entertainment?

A survival/playing card deck, a couple of small survival books, and a radio. What more could you ask for?
Before anybody suggests it, she won't fit in my pocket <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Troy

Well, you see, in the couple or so TRUE survival situations I have been, I never thought of any need for entertainment- Had other things to mind.

OTOH, In those idilical places you describe, no entertainment is really needed: just look around and try to understand/learn/enjoy the place: it might be beautiful, interesting with many things to explore/investigate.

I have been from Patagonia to beyond the N. polar circle with most of what's in between and never felt the need for an harmonica or a book. Not even a Tom Clancy.

I practise a form of Soto Zen walking meditation. I wander about smelling flowers, looking at sunsets and stumbling over mother skunks.

I have never been in a situation where real survival even for a short period of time was an issue.

I do know that in my day to day life when I have time to think and it is too rainy to enjoy the outdoors and there is nothing good on television, I do spend a fair amount of time cursing the fact that they shut down the Mustang Ranch before I had a chance to check it out.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Good question <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I've been doing many survival outings (1-2 weeks), and each and every time I ended up playing around with cord (not to hang myself, no <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />). Braiding pouches, slings, nets, hammocks, etc. I also like to carve stuff, make and decorate crude weapons (rabbit sticks, bows, etc.), stuff like that.

I also like to track, watch nature, try to learn as much as I can. That's endless, and that can help you spend a lot of time...

Cheers,

David

what you describe here looks more like a picnic with the local boy scouts.

I'd say that a survival situation would look more like trying to get out of a mine field at night carrying a couple wounded colleagues, after being hit by an AT missile.

Sure , those rope things and being out for a week living under the stars, drinking from a canteen and feeding on canned beef helps hone your skills and instincts, but it is not yet "survival".

Hmmmm... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Next time I go out, I'll let you know. You come with me, and we'll see how you manage to catch fish with your bare hands, flintknap and make yourself a blade to clean it, and carve a bow drill set from scratch to cook it <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

What you describe there is what I call war... Not survival. War usually DOES come with it's own package of sh!t... plus MRE's, med supplies, among other things (I've seen US military in the middle of canadian bush have Big Macs dropped to them from choppers... They were there to learn winter survival with us, but they didn't like the spruce tea and the birch inner bark much... <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />).

Anyways... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Cheers,

David

I was gonna shoot out a reply along the same lines as yours, but you seem to have said it pretty well, so... ditto from me.

Troy

Yikes, I thought I was asking for good times...

Even in the trenches, a little distraction could be a nice thing. It don't all gotta be grim and bear it, do it?