Category Archives: Gear Reviews
The Tourniquet
Boston Firefighter James Plourde carries an injured woman away from the scene after a bombing near the finish line of the Boston Marathon in April 2013. The woman has an improvised tourniquet on her left leg just below the knee.
By Warrior Publications, June 2, 2016
“Tourniquet: A device, typically a tightly encircling bandage, used to check bleeding by temporarily stopping the flow of blood through a large artery in a limb… French : tourner, to turn (from Old French).”
The Free Dictionary
A tourniquet is a binding that is applied to an injured limb to stop arterial blood flow resulting from a severe injury (characterized by bright red spurting blood). Although it has been used on battlefields since at least the times of the Roman Empire, after World Wars 1 and 2 the tourniquet became a questionable, even dangerous technique that was to be used only as a last resort, if at all. Despite the apparent absence of any medical studies, the tourniquet was said to cause such severe nerve damage that it often resulted in amputations.
Warning: there are some graphic images in the following article. Read the rest of this entry
IFAK: Individual First Aid Kits
The newest US Army IFAK 2; the folding insert (bottom) containing the items slides into the pouch (top), which has two flap openings on either side. The pouch is carried on the rear lower back of the tactical vest.
by Warrior Publications, June 10, 2015
While updating and reorganizing some first aid kits around our house, I did some research on military-issued individual first aid kits (known as “IFAK” in the US military). These are specialized types of first aid kits and their primary role is to stop severe bleeding wounds, such as those inflicted by bullets or explosions. While this may not be of great interest to the average civilian, any one who uses firearms on a regular basis (such as hunters) should make note of these kits and their contents, for emergencies such as accidental shootings or discharges of firearms. I think they should also be of interest to people who live in remote rural or wilderness areas where it can be difficult for medical services to access. For example, a person could experience a severe bleeding injury while using axes or chainsaws for gathering firewood, etc. It’s also a good idea to get as much first aid training as you can, and to have a small first aid kit assembled and ready to go in your vehicle, pack, etc. Read the rest of this entry
Review of the Mora Companion MG Knife
Mora Companion MG with a fish club carved from maple.
by Warrior Publications, May 22, 2015
Mora is the name of a town in Sweden, as well as a knife making company renowned for producing good quality but inexpensive knives (Mora of Sweden). The Mora Companion is probably one of the most popular and recommended knives among those involved in bushcrafting or other outdoor wilderness activities. Many survival and bushcraft schools and instructors use and/or recommend the Companion as a primary knife choice. Read the rest of this entry
Selecting a Knife for Bushcraft and Wilderness Use
Making a feather stick for fire starting.
by Zig Zag, Warrior Publications, September 18, 2014
“The knife is the smallest and most portable of all the cutting tools. Light and unobtrusive, the knife is readily available for hundreds of everyday tasks in bush living.”
(Mors Kochanski, Bushcraft, p. 109)
A knife is one of the most important tools for use in a wilderness area, whether for bushcraft or survival. It can be used to cut and carve wood for shelters, stakes, traps, hooks, spears, walking sticks, etc. It can be a vital tool when making a fire, from cutting and splitting wood to making friction fire drills, feather sticks, etc. A knife is used to clean, skin, and butcher animals or fish, to cut rope or cordage, etc. A knife can also be used as a weapon for self-defence. Read the rest of this entry
Review of the ESEE Izula Knife
The ESEE Izula with paracord wrapped handle.
by Zig Zag, Warrior Publications, September 2, 2014
For those that don’t know, ESEE is a knife manufacturer based in the US that also conducts survival training courses. As part of their training regime, they eventually began designing knives that were initially produced by Ontario Knife Company (the RAT series, RAT standing for Randall’s Adventure Training). In 2007, when their contract with Ontario ended, ESEE began producing their own line of field knives, ranging from small utility blades to large machete type knives. ESEE (pronounced “ess-ee”) stands for Escuela de Supervivencia (School of Survival), Escape and Evasion (ESEE), and is derived from their South American jungle training courses (including military and law enforcement agencies). The ESEE knives are manufactured in Idaho Falls, Idaho, by Rowen Manufacturing. Read the rest of this entry
