Thursday, January 26, 2012

Why Everyone Needs a Survival Bracelet

Survival Bracelets
I recently obtained a survival bracelet from the good folks at crisiscord.com.  It came in my favorite colors which happen to be purple and gold, go LSU Tigers.  It is comfortable to wear and the buckle has a built in whistle.





What is a survival bracelet?
It is typically made with paracord also known as 550 cord.  It is typically military spec woven cords with an outer nylon covering.  The inner core is braided with up to seven strands of yarn. This type of rope or cord is called kernmantle and is very strong due to the way it is constructed and has a minimum breaking strength of 550 pounds, hence the nickname 550 cord.

Uses of Survival Bracelets
Anyone who has ever served in the military can tell you of multiple uses of paracord.  It has been used to replace torn boot laces, strapping to secure items, improvised slings, hammock, or it could be used in a life and death situation to egress from a multi story building. There is word that it has been used on space shuttle missions and was even used for emergency repairs of the Hubble Telescope.  Have you ever been hauling a load of lumber and need additional rope to tie down the load?  I just read a story of a lifeguard who rescued a drowning swimmer who was very overweight.  The straps to the spinal immobilization board were too short to go around the torso of the drowning subject and the lifeguard used his survival bracelet to improvise a longer strap. The importance of having cordage available is so great that many survival manuals recommend always having it and the uses can be so many and varied it would be impossible to name them all.



Styles of Survival Bracelets
There are many different styles of survival bracelets depending upon the colors and the type of weave used to create it.  Crisis Cord TM uses many styles of buckles depending upon your taste.  You may select a simple clasp, whistle buckle, or just a knot to secure your bracelet.

If you do not care to wear a survival bracelet you can use it on your key ring or clasp it to your pack.  They also produce key fobs, necklaces, belts, and probably anything else you can think of.

Crisis Cord is a 100% American owned company and was created by a Paramedic with a dream.  A portion of each sale goes towards a scholarship to help aspiring EMT's and Paramedics.  If you use your bracelet in a survival situation it will be replaced for free. I liked it so much I got one for my wife and kids as well!
To get yours visit crisiscord.com, you can also find them on Facebook.



Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Big Hunt

My two girls aged 13 and 9 have been expressing an interest in hunting for some time now.
I have no idea where it came from as I haven't seriously hunted since I was a kid and never since having them. 

I started by purchasing a 22 rifle for my oldest on her birthday this past summer.  We then joined a local gun club with a shooting range.  I can't say enough to express my gratitude to the range master.  He went over gun safety and allowed her to shoot several of his guns including a pistol.
For Christmas they each received a shotgun. I picked up a couple of 20 gauges at a gun show. One is a single shot, the other a pump. We decided to go out to the land to rabbit hunt. We had began the hunt by reviewing our safety rules. The day was cold with a brisk wind. Unfortunately we had no snow. We walked the brushy area at the edge of the woods. It wasn't long before we had spooked up a rabbit. I was the only one to have a shot and despite taking two shots the rabbit managed to escape unharmed. We kicked up several more rabbits over the next hour or so. It was cold and getting late. We made a small campfire and made some s'more's.

Despite not bagging any rabbits it was a good time spent with my girls. I think with some more practice their shots and confidence will improve and one day we may actually bag some rabbits.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Crisis Prepared

When one decides to take their destiny into their own hands it's one thing.  When you bring your family along it's another.  It's a special breed of of people who choose to be self reliant.  No depending upon the government or another person when things go wrong. No calling 911, you are 911.

I always have my eye out for products that will make my life easier, dependable, durable, there when I need it.  I ran across one such item recently and I feel it is so important that everyone else has access to it that I had to post about it.

Imagine being in a situation where the difference between life and death depends on you having that one item.  It may be that your home is on fire and you have to escape the second floor. No ladders, the fire department is to far away, you have to be your own rescuer Imagine an item you can wear on your wrist.  It comes in a multitude of styles and colors.  It is always with you because it looks good and your life may depend on having it.

I have found that item.  It's from a small, American start up company called Crisis Cord.  I got mine for less than the price of feeding two people at a fast food place.  I chose a bracelet because it looks cool, I could get it in my team colors, and I can show my school pride while being prepared.  I got my bracelet in LSU colors.  You can choose from many different color combination and style. OU Fan? Covered, they have crimson and white.  Obscure?  Covered, they have camo, black, OD green.  It looks good and is comfortable to wear.  If I needed to escape that burning house or just needed some rope to secure some lumber on top of my car I can simply take it apart and I am covered. 
My crisis cord bracelet has a whistle buckle.  I'm going to buy the kids and my wife one.  If someone tried to kidnap them or if they are lost in the woods they could use the whistle to call attention to themselves.

I'm sold.  I feel like you would be to.  They carry several different items, check them out and get yours.  Be prepared.  Check them out, they can be found on Facebook at Facebook.com/confrontit