I got the March 2006 issue of Boy’s Life yesterday. I have been looking at it. The expert is Peter Kummerfeldt. He is described as the director of survival training for the U.S. Air Force Academy (12 years) and as a top instructor at the U.S. Air Force Basic Survival School. Let me say that anyone that will donate time to the Boy Scouts is a hero in my book.

The title and focus of the article is: “10 Survival Tips …that can save your life!” The photos are of a boy under an inverted “V” tarp shelter with a headlamp, some scouts watching Mr. Kummerfeldt building a fire lay that looks like the one in the Ritter PSP instructions, PJ cotton balls being made, a signal mirror being used, and a few other less interesting pictures of PSK items. He has a video listed on ETS “Preparing To Survive with Peter Kummerfeldt” (www.outdoorsafe.com) Doug gave it 3 stars. His choices seem to be a combination of Cody Lundin (98.6) (www.alssadventures.com) and Gene Ward (www.survivalandoutdoorsafety.com).

The article is missing a reference to the rule of 3s. There is a misprint describing the orange plastic bag as 4mm. It should say 4mil. All of the PSK items listed in the article are for sale on his web site. I like that he specifically lists a glass signal mirror. On his web site he does say that a quality plastic mirror is also good. I would say that does not include the Star Flash! He suggests that everyone have some prepared PJ cotton balls and a ferro rod, etc.

Most people here do not get “Boy’s Life”. It might be at your library. Just go to his web site if you want to know what was in the article. He has the same information there.