How to Make a Survival Bracelet

( From Backpacker Magazine)

Survival Bracelet

In an emergency, you can use paracord for lashings, tourniquets, shoelaces, snares, tying splints, or, if you tease out the threads, even fishing lines and sewing threads. This bracelet lets you carry a useful amount at all times. 


WHAT YOU'LL NEED: scissors, a lighter, a tape measure, and 10 feet of 550 paracord. Text and photos by Bill Wachholder

Click Here for Instructions for Making this Bracelet

Expedition Behavior

The Finer Points
By Howard Tombs
A good expedition team is like a powerful, well-oiled, finely-tuned marriage.  Members cook meals together, face challenges together, and finally go to bed together.  A bad expedition, on the other hand, is an awkward ugly, embarrassing thing characterized by bickering, filth, frustration, and crispy macaroni.

Nearly all bad expeditions have one thing in common: poor expedition behavior (EB).  This is true even if team members follow the stated rules, such as Don't Step on the Rope, Separate Kerosene and Food, No Soap in the River, No Raccoons in the Tent, Keep your Ice Axe Out of My Eye, etc.

Unfortunately, too many rules of expedition behavior remain unspoken.  Some leaders seem to assume that their team members already have strong and generous characters like their own.  But judging from a few of the campers we've encountered, more rules ought to be spelled out.  Here are ten of them.

Preparing for Philmont*

*Borrowed from http://www.scouting.org/

 

To ensure the success and enjoyment of a Philmont expedition, each crew should be thoroughly trained for the trek. The material in this section provides guidance for physical conditioning, team building, and developing the skills you'll need to successfully complete your expedition.

Physical Conditioning
Being in top physical condition will help your crew enjoy their experience more and be less likely to experience medical problems. This training calendar and exercise tips will help you prepare for your expedition.

Building a Team
A well-organized crew works together to accomplish tasks quickly and has more time to enjoy Philmont. It is essential for your crew to learn to cooperate as a team before you arrive.

Developing Skills
Time and effort spent in sharpening your hiking and camping skills will allow you more time to enjoy the natural beauty and program features at Philmont.