Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a great skill to know in case of an emergency. In fact, CPR doubles a person’s chance of survival after a sudden cardiac arrest.

Modern methods of CPR help the body maintain a flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and heart, keeping these organs alive until more help can arrive.

With sudden cardiac arrest, the heart changes from a normal beat to a fluttering beat called ventricular fibrillation (VF). This happens in nearly ⅔ of all cardiac arrest incidents. VF is fatal unless an electric shock can be given. CPR does not stop VF but it does extend the window in which a defibrillation can be effective.

Check out these instructions on the basics of CPR. You can also find a pocket guide to CPR that you can print here. There are also free iPhone and Android apps that you might find helpful.

1. Check the Victim
Check the victim. Did you see them collapse? If that’s the case be weary of your surroundings. Perhaps they were stung or bitten by a nearby insect. Be careful of the surroundings and check your victim to see if they are breathing, responsive or breathing normally.

2. Call for Help
If your victim is unresponsive and not breathing, you’ll need to call 911. A lot of people in the movies just yell “Someone call 911!” which isn’t a good idea. Make sure to single someone out and ask them specifically to call authorities. If you don’t do this, a lot of people will assume that someone else is calling 911. If you need to call yourself, do so. Many times an emergency dispatcher can also walk you through CPR instructions.

3. Pump the Heart
If the victim is still not breathing normally, not coughing or moving; begin chest compressions. Use your fingers to find the top of the rib cage and place your hand about four fingers higher than this point.
Use both hands, interlocking the fingers and keeping your elbows locked. Begin pushing down about 2 inches on the center of the chest 30 times. Pump hard and fast – at the rate of about 100 pumps per minute – faster than once per second.

If the victim is a child (ages 1-8), use one hand to pump the heart. If the victim is an infant use two fingers instead of an extended arm.

4. Rescue Breathing
After you’ve pumped the heart 30 times, provide them with some oxygen to circulate in their system. Tilt their head back and lift their chin. This will open up their airway system. Pinch their nose and cover their mouth with yours. Blow into their mouth until you can see the chest rise. Give two breaths with each breath taking about one second.

If the victim is a child (ages 1-8), use normal breathes. If the victim is an infant (less than 1 year), provide two gentle breaths instead of large ones.

5. Continue
If the breaths are going in, continue to alternate between pumping and breathing until help arrives. If the victim wakes up or becomes responsive, stop administering CPR.

Sometimes, an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can be located after you’ve started CPR. Continue administering CPR until you can attach the AED correctly. Once it has been attached, follow the instructions on the AED.

Complications
Vomiting is the most common complication when administering CPR. If the victim begins to vomit, turn their head to the side and try and sweep out their mouth to keep the airway unobstructed.

Many times, people are afraid of catching a disease or infection by administering CPR. A spread of infection is extremely rare when administering CPR. Most cardiac arrests occur in the home where a family member would administer CPR. Even with CPR performed on strangers, there is an extremely low risk of infection. There are no documented cases of transfer of HIV or AIDS via CPR.

6. Once Help Arrives
When paramedics arrive, they’ll most likely have you back away from the victim – even if you’re in the middle of a pumping or breathing cycle. Provide them the space they need.

You don’t know when disaster will strike, and neither does the health care system. The emergency room may seem the epitome of preparedness, but Stephen Flynn, a former Coast Guard commander and author of The Edge of Disaster; thinks that medical care in the United States may be unprepared to cope with a catastrophic emergency, wide spread pandemic or a large terrorist attack.

During the economic downturn, hospitals have been doing what everyone else has been doing, says Flynn.

“The medical community has been moving in the direction of much of our economy,” he says, “which is wringing out the extra capacity in order to essentially focus on the bottom line.”

In the event of a major crisis and the likelihood that you may not have access to immediate medical care, it is important to be aware of medical care that you can do yourself at home, especially with first aid. There are many natural and homeopathic first-aid treatments used effectively for thousands of years that are still accepted by the modern medical community as viable and effective treatments, especially ointments, tinctures, and salves using essential oils from many different plants. Essential oils are particularly useful in treating insect bites and stings, burns, and wounds – perfect for first-aid at home in an emergency.

Insect Bites & Stings
Few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic remedies. A professional homeopath, however, may recommend one or more of the following treatments for insect bites and stings based on his or her knowledge and clinical experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person’s constitutional type. In homeopathic terms, a person’s constitution is his or her physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual.

• Apis mellifica — for stinging pains with rapid swelling and affected area that is warm to the touch; this remedy is most appropriate for individuals who feel better with cold applications; Apis is recommended if hives are present or ifLedum does not reduce pain or swelling after 4 hours
• Hypericum — for bites accompanied by sharp, shooting pains that often occur in sensitive areas, such as at the ends of fingers or toes
• Ledum — most commonly used homeopathic agent for bites and stings from bees, mosquitoes, wasps, or spiders; affected area is cold to the touch but cold applications or immersion in cold water improves symptoms
• Staphysagria — for children with large, itchy mosquito bites that may create large welts
• Urtica urens — for red, swollen bites with itching and stinging; may be used instead of Apis to treat hives

Some essential oils may help repel insects. Dilute the oil before applying it to your skin. Never apply pure essential oils directly. Avoid contact with your eyes. These oils include:

• Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
• Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata)
• Citronella (Cymbopogon spp.)
• Neem oil or cream (Azadirachta indica)

Burns
Minor burns may be treated with herbs, but you should never take or apply any herb when you have moderate o severe burns. Call for emergency help first.

Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body’s systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider to diagnose your problem before starting treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 – 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 – 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 – 4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination as noted.

These herbs may be applied topically (externally) to minor burns:

• Aloe (Aloe vera), as a cream or gel. Apply externally to the burned area, 3 – 4 times daily as needed, for soothing and healing.
• Calendula (Calendula officinalis), or pot marigold, as an ointment or a tea applied topically. To make tea from tincture, use 1/2 to 1 tsp. diluted in 1/4 cup water. You can also steep 1 tsp. of flowers in one cup of boiling water for 15 minutes, then strain and cool. Test skin first for any allergic reaction.
• Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) as a cream containing 1% of the herb, may help repair skin tissue.
• Propolis, a resin created by bees to build their hives, has been used historically to treat skin wounds. One study found that people given propolis to apply to minor burns healed as well as those treated with silver sulfadiazine, a prescription ointment. More research is needed, however. If you use propolis for a minor burn, test skin first for any reaction.

Wounds
Certain herbal remedies may offer relief from symptoms and help wounds heal faster. Herbs are generally available as dried extracts (pills, capsules, or tablets), teas, or tinctures (alcohol extraction, unless otherwise noted). People with a history of alcoholism should not take tinctures. Dose for teas is 1 heaping tsp. per cup of water steeped for 10 minutes (roots need 20 minutes), unless otherwise noted.

Applied to skin

Never apply herbs to open wounds unless under a doctor’s supervision.

• Aloe (Aloe vera), as a cream or gel. Aloe has been used traditionally to treat minor wounds and burns, but scientific studies about its effectiveness are mixed. In one study, aloe seemed to make surgical wounds take longer to heal.
• Calendula (Calendula officinalis), or pot marigold, as an ointment or a tea applied topically. To make tea from tincture, use 1/2 to 1 tsp. diluted in 1/4 cup water. You can also steep 1 tsp. of flowers in one cup of boiling water for 15 minutes, then strain and cool. Test skin first for any allergic reaction.
• Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) as a topical ointment to help wounds heal and fight inflammation.
• Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) as oil or cream. Apply two times per day to reduce inflammation. Do not use tea tree oil to treat burns.
• Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) as a cream containing 1% of the herb, to help heal wounds.
• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita or Chameaemelum nobile), as an ointment or cream, to help heal wounds.
• Echinacea or coneflower (Echinacea spp.) as a gel or ointment containing 15% of the juice of the herb.
• Slippery elm bark (Ulmus rubra or fulva) as a poultice. Mix 1 tsp. dried powder in one of cup of boiling water. Cool and apply to a clean, soft cloth. Place on affected area.

Taken by mouth

• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is an anti-inflammatory that makes the effects of bromelain stronger. Use dried extract 250 – 500 mg three times a day. Turmeric may increase the risk of bleeding. If you take blood-thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin, ask your doctor before taking turmeric.
• Gotu kola helps the body repair connective tissue and heal wounds, and prevents a scar from growing larger. Use standardized extract 60 mg one to two times daily, or 60 drops of tincture three to four times per day. Do not take gotu kola if you have high blood pressure or experience anxiety. Do not take gotu kola if you have hepatitis or liver disease.
• Coneflower and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), used together, may help protect against infection. Use equal parts tincture 30 – 60 drops three to four times a day.
• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale, 2 – 8 g per day) is another herb with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It may help with wound healing, although there are no scientific studies looking at dandelion for wound healing. Be sure you do not have an allergy to dandelion, and avoid taking the herb if you have liver or gallbladder disease, diabetes, or kidney disease, or if you take blood-thinning medication.
• Pycnogenol (Pinus pinaster, 200 mg per day), an extract of the bark of a particular type of pine tree, helps promote skin health.

Your Recommendations
So, what natural treatments have you used for fist aid at home? Let us know so we can benefit from your experience.

Thanks to the University of Maryland Medical Center for all their great information on Complementary Medicine
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/insect-bites-000095.htm
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/burns-000021.htm
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/wounds-000175.htm

In the fall of 1964 a group of tourists were shipwrecked on an island in the south Pacific. When they realized that no rescue was coming, they worked toward surviving on this small remote island.

What was supposed to a short 3-hour tour turned into a dire survival situation!

One passenger on the ship, who had been a professor, was able to use coconuts and bamboo to create many tools and resources to help the group survive. In fact, he even used coconuts to create a radio and a car!

OK, while making a radio or car out of coconuts might only happen on Gilligan’s Island, you can still use the helpful resources that the coconut tree provides to survive if you’re in a real emergency situation.

Coconut trees are very plentiful and grow in many parts of the world. A typical coconut tree produces about 50 coconuts each year and can be used for cooking, hunting, transportation and more. Check out these ideas on how you can use a coconut tree to survive in the wild because you never know when your tropical vacation could turn into a survival situation.

Small Hunting Spears
The center spine of the coconut tree leaf is very stiff and can be very useful for hunting. Strip the leafy parts of the spine. You may need to cut a more refined edge onto the coconut spine. The spine will be stiff enough to stab fish or other small wild game however it probably won’t be stiff enough to pierce a shell or exoskeleton.

Housing
Coconut tree lumber is unique in that the densest part of the tree is on the outside and the wood’s high silica content gives the tree elasticity. Because of that coconut timber can be used to make structures that are durable in the face of weather.

Sterile Water
As you’re probably well aware, coconuts often contain water (aka coconut milk) that can keep your pallet wet. Inside an immature coconut is a liquid that is slightly sweet and contains a lot of nutrients. According to Union County College, the water inside a coconut is so sterile that it was sometimes used as a replacement for glucose in IV solutions for wounded soldiers in WWII.

Fuel
Back in the day coconut leaves and trunks were often used as firewood due to their dry substance and fiber content. In fact, in some parts of Asia, people still use charcoal made from coconut made from coconut shells.

Ladles and Cups
The coconut shell can be used as a dish. Simply cut the coconut in two and use either side as a dish. It should hold a good amount of food or water. If you cut a hole in the bottom of one of the sides, it will also make a great funnel.

Bags and Mats
The leaves of the coconut tree grow to about 17 feet long and are extremely versatile. They can be used to create woven baskets, bags, hats or mats. You’ll want to find the leaves when they are pretty green because dried leaves will become stiff and won’t be able to weave very well.

Compost
The hard outer shell of the coconut is a natural fiber material and is great for composting. Strip and break the material as much as possible. The more you break down the material the faster it will decompose and become great compost material for gardening.

Trunk Raft
The trunk of the coconut tree also makes a great sea-bearing raft. Pacific Islanders have used the tree for thousands of years to create simple water vessels. Try and find the straightest tree possible and chop it down. Hollow out the center and balance out the raft by attaching another floating trunk to the side of the vessel.

What Ideas Do You Have?
Have you used coconuts for another purpose? Comment below to tell us what you have used coconuts for and help others learn too!

Paracord can be an awesome tool in your preparedness arsenal. This durable nylon rope can be tied into tons of different designs including bracelets, strengthened cords, pouches and more. If you’re in an emergency, you simply unwind the strong cord and use it to bind, haul or anything else that you might need.

So, whether you’re a beginner or an expert paracord lover, we have a design for you. Check out these paracord designs below. If you don’t want to spend time weaving your own bracelet, you can always let us do it for you.

What is Paracord?
Paracord, also known as parachute cord, is a soft, lightweight nylon rope that was originally used for parachuting. Typically, 550 paracord (which is the paracord used for our bracelets) is made of 32 strands of nylon sheath on the outside and seven strands of 2-ply nylon yarns on the inside (the “guts”). The 550 paracord is the same made for the government and has a minimum breaking strength of 550 lbs.

While paracord started out as a parachuters tool, people quickly recognized its usefulness in other areas. Since the cord is quick-drying, rot- and mildew-resistant, it’s great for many purposes. Military units use it for securing packs, hanging covers and tents. Many military personnel even use the guts as fishing line.

Check out these designs:
Paracord Bracelet
Paracord Snake Design
Paracord Woven Watchband
Paracord Keychain

Paracord Rifle Sling
You’ll need:
• 100 feet of paracord
• Needle nose pliers or forceps
• 2×4 of wood (as long as your desired sling length)
• 2 Flat Washers
• 2 Screws
• Knife
• Swivels off of your guns

Directions
1. You’ll first want to figure out how long you want your rifle sling to be. Since this isn’t an adjustable strap, you’ll want to make sure you get it right.

2. After you figure out how long you want it to be, measure that length on to a 2×4. At one end of the 2×4, you’ll want to attach the swivel from your gun. Be careful not to damage the swivel by screwing it too tight. Add some space by placing a washer between the wood. Secure the other swivel on the board at a distance that you would like your sling to be.

3. Take the paracord and tie one end securely to the swivel. Attach the other end of the line to the other swivel.

4. You’ll want to repeat this process a few times until you have 4 parallel cords running between the two swivels. Make sure there is spacing between each cord by wrapping the cord around a few times each time you come to the swivel. This will provide a buffer of space. Tie off the cord securely to swivel.

5. Now that you have the four cords running between the two swivels, begin to weave the paracord through the four strands – over one, under the next – and circle around and work your way down the four strands. Tighten the strand as you work your way down.

6. Once you reach the end, you’ll want to securely tie off the paracord. To do this, you can either tie a knot and tuck the loose end back into the sling, or you can tie a knot, cutting off one edge and burning the end of the paracord.

7. Remove the screws from the 2×4 in order to release the swivels and reattach them to the rifle.

What else have you made with paracord? Comment below to let us know. Or let us know what you’d like to see a tutorial on.

Imagine you are driving across the country and your car breaks down in the middle of the drive. What are you going to do? If you’re prepared and know how to signal for help, you can create signs and signal aircrafts for help. Most people know the SOS sign, but here are other things that emergency personal will recognize as messages.

Three Fires
Building three separate fires is an international signal for distress. Ideally, they should be placed in a triangle at equal distances. However, if you are injured or fuel isn’t available, you might only be able to build one fire which is a great start to signaling for help.

Many people have even built small rafts that they build fires on. This allows them to float their three-fire triangle in the middle of a lake or in a river where a passing aircraft is more likely to see them.

Single Fires
Smoking fires are a great way to signal for help from long distances. Be sure to set up your fire in a visible location so that people can see the flames or smoke before they dissipate. Typically, planes will fly from a high ridge to a low one

Ground-to-Air Codes
There are a few symbols that you can use to signify that you are in need. Typically, you’ll want to make these large and as noticeable as possible – usually a color that is contrasted with its surroundings.

	Serious Injury, Evacuation Required		Am Proceeding in This Direction
	Need Medical Supplies		Probably Safe to Land Here
	Unable to Move		Require Food and Water

Body Signaling
There are a series of signals that pilots and other airmen will understand and use. Make all of these signals in a clear and exaggerated manner.

	Need Medical Attention		Do Not Attempt to Land Here
	Land Here (Indicate Direction)		Affirmative
	Pick Us Up Here		Negative

If the pilot understands the message, he or she will continue flying the plane and tipping the wings in a rocking motion from side to side. If the pilot did not understand, they will begin flying the plane in a right-handed circle. At night time, the plane will either flash a green (affirmative) or red (negative) light to communicate.

Knowing how to tie some basic knots could be the difference between life and death in an emergency.

Below, we’ve listed some basic knots that you might consider learning in order to help yourself in an emergency or any number of other situations. They include the bowline, Prusick loop, double fisherman’s knot, square knot and figure eight knot.

Bowline
The bowline is great for emergency situations because it doesn’t slip or jam. It’s very easy to make and can be used in a lot of situations to pull without tightening.

Video Instruction Here
1. Take the right end of the rope and curl it over itself to make a small loop.
2. Insert the right end of the rope through the initial loop making a larger loop.
3. Continue around the back of the rope just before the first small loop.
4. After going around the back of the rope, pass the end into the small loop again.
5. Tighten the knot.

Prusick Loop
The Prusick loop (or knot) has been used for decades in mountaineering as a knot that won’t slip when you need it to stay and will move when you need to shift. The knot is based on friction and relies on the presence of a load or pressure to stay. So, if you tug on the line, it will stay put, if you loosen it, it will release and move.

Video Instruction Here
1. You will need to lengths of rope, one will be the anchor while the other will be used for the knot/loop
2. Lay the anchor rope on a flat surface.
3. Tie both ends of the other rope to make a loop.
4. Place the loop underneath the anchor line
5. Pull one side of the loop over and underneath the anchor line – do this three times
6. On the last turn, tighten the knot around and through the other end of the loop.

Double Fisherman’s Knot
This knot is great for joining different lines together to make one longer rope. It can be great for extended two smaller ropes or simply securing one rope to another.

Video Instruction Here
1. Place two ropes parallel on another.
2. Using one rope, make a loop by passing it over the second rope then under both ropes. Do this twice ( that’s why it’s called double fisherman’s knot)
3. From underneath the two ropes insert it into the loop you just made.
4. Do the same with the other rope
5. Pull both ropes to tighten the knot.

Square Knot
This is one of the most widely used knots. It was originally used to secure sails to ships but is now used to to secure two ropes together. If you’re lifting heavy items, this might not be the best knot to use because it can come apart rather easily. But if you need a simple knot to tie two ends together without worrying about them staying tight, this is a great knot.

1. Take one end in each hand.
2. Cross over the right end and wrap it around the left end. Now the right end is not on the left side.
3 Take the end on the left side and cross it over and wrap it around the end on the right.
4. Tighten the knot.

Figure Eight Knot
A figure eight knot is a great way to add a loop to the end of any rope. It is probably one of the best knots for binding under strain.

Video Instructions Here
1, Form a single figure eight in the end of the rope and feed the tail through your harness. Some harnesses require that you feed the rope through certain straps.
2. Rethread the figure eight, following the same path as the first. Pull the knot tight. Make sure you have enough tail, as the knot will slip a bit when loaded. Check the knot by counting “two”, “two” & “two”, for the three visible doubled strands. Ensure they each are lying flat and not crossing over themselves.


So what knots would you recommend?
Comment below to tell us what knots you find the most handy. Which ones have you learned and used? Comment below to tell us more!

Hydrogen peroxide can be a great tool in your emergency pack. It has hundreds of uses that can help you clean and disinfect in any situation.

Hydrogen peroxide has the chemical property

H₂O₂

It is a strong oxidizer and is often used as a bleach or cleaning agent. You can also use it to whiten clothes, fight infections, make your own toothpaste, etc. Check out these ideas below on how you can use hydrogen peroxide for multiple purposes around your home.

Purchasing Hydrogen Peroxide
When you’re purchasing hydrogen peroxide, you have a few different options. Hydrogen peroxide comes in a few different grades, the most common being 3.5% Pharmaceutical grade. This is sold in your local drug stores and supermarket and should not be ingested.

6% grade is used in beauty shops to color hair and shouldn’t be used internally. Higher grades like 30-32% are used to clean electronics and cars.

35% grade is the only grade that is approved for internal use. It’s used in the production of eggs, cheese and other food items.

The only other grade higher than 35% is 90% and is used as an oxygen source for rocket fuel! Ya, don’t eat that either.

Remember that using items over again and finding multiple uses is a great way to save money and help you become more self-reliant and self-sufficient.

Whiten Clothes
Add a cup of peroxide to your laundry as they wash. It gets rid of stains in clothes and carpet. Just pour directly onto the spot, let it sit for a few minutes and then rub and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

Foot Fungus
Have a nasty itch on your feet? Hydrogen peroxide can help. Simply spray a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water on them every night and let dry.

Infected Cuts
Soak the cut in a mixture of 3-5% hydrogen peroxide for five to 10 minutes several times a day. People have reported that soaking their wounds in hydrogen peroxide has healed gangrene, boils, and skin infections.

Sinus Infections
A tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide added to 1 cup of water (non-chlorinated) can be used as a nasal spray. For more severe sinus infections, increase the amount of hydrogen peroxide in the mixture.

Toothpaste & Mouth Care
Hydrogen peroxide is a great tool for mouth care. You can use it to create mouthwashes, relieve toothaches and make your own toothpaste. Start with a bit of baking soda and slowly add hydrogen peroxide until it creates a paste. Hydrogen peroxide is antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal, so it makes a very efficient toothpaste. However, some people have reported that the hydrogen peroxide reacts with amalgam fillings in their mouth, so be careful.

Food Cleaner
Some people add ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide to a full sink of cold water and allow their vegetables to soak and clean before preparation. You can also rinse your meat off before cooking.

Clean Mold
Use a hydrogen peroxide spray to wipe up mold in the fridge or in your house so that it doesn’t spread. Since hydrogen peroxide is anti-fungal and antibacterial, it should stop the mold in its tracks!

Your Ideas?
What have you used hydrogen peroxide for? Comment below and tell us what you’ve used the miracle liquid for.

If you are stuck in the woods and need to hunt for food, how are you going to do it? Knowing how to make a bow and arrow would definitely come in handy!

Obviously a simple 22.-caliber rifle would have more accuracy from a long distance, but you might be able to use a homemade bow and arrow to snag a meal from 10-50 feet. Remember though; don’t rely on a single method of hunting. You can use a combination of bow and arrow, snares and scourging to survive in the wilderness.

- How can you make a simple snare? - 

Check out this tutorial below to find out how you can use simple supplies in order to create a bow and arrow in the wild. Remember to be careful when you practice making a bow and arrow and work at your own risk.

The Bow
Wood Selection
There is a wide selection of wood that will work well for a bow. Woods that work well include yew, willow, cedar, locust, ash, hickory, elm, ash, maple or birch. Avoid pine or dead tree branches. You’ll want to choose greener saplings or shoots. Cut 2-3 potential shafts as you’re looking.

Bow Size
You’ll want to cut off branches, saplings or shoots that are about 50-60 inches long. As a rule of thumb, cut branches that measure from the ground to your neck. The bow should also measure at least 1 inch in its diameter in the center and 3/4 inches at the edges.

- 14 Beautiful Flowers that You Can Eat - 

Cutting the Bow
When you’re cutting the branch for the bow, be sure to use a saw or knife to cut it away. Never bend and break the branch off. Look for a branch that has very few knots and branches. You want to cut off as little as possible.

Making the Handle
There are two main sections that you’ll want to plan for in the handle: The rest and the hand grip. The hand grip can be made by just wrapping the area with leather. If you don’t have leather you can also use items like duct tape or cloth.

The other important aspect of the handle is the notch where the arrow will rest. You can cut a slight notch into the side of the wood right above the handle. If you’d like to accentuate the notch, you can place a stone underneath the leather to give you a larger notch to hang your arrow on.

Placing the String
On the outer edges of the bow, cut two v-shaped notches. Make the smaller end of the V’s point toward the inside of the bow. If you are worried that the bow might break apart at the edges, feel free to bind them with duct tape or another material that you have available.

- Rope Making 101 - 

Now that you have the notches cut for the bow, choose a string that’s roughly 12 inches longer than your bow. You can use nylon twine, string, a leather strip or even shoelaces.

Tie one end of the string to the bottom of the bow. On the other end of the string, make a loop or slip knot that is about 6 inches shorter than your bow. You’ll then use your leg to hold the bow out as you attach the loop to the other side of the bow. (pictures below) Be sure to unstring the bow if you’re not using it. You don’t want the strand to lose its spring.

The Arrows
Wood Choice
Just like a bow, you’ll want to choose any straight sapling or shoot without branches or knots.

Length and Size
Usually a good arrow measures about 24-30 inches long and is about 1/4 – 1/2 inches in diameter. Typically, a shorter arrow remains straighter and they usually fly better and don’t break as easily.

Preparing the Arrow
The first thing you’ll want to do is remove the bark from the arrow. When you do so, cut straight so that you remove the bark but keep as much of the branch as possible. If you’re going to be using the arrows for multiple days, tie them together to ensure that they don’t warp and they keep each other straight. Ideally, you’d cure the arrows for 1-10 days (not in direct sunlight) straightening them each day. However, in an emergency that might not be an option.

You’ll cut a slight notch in the back end of the arrow to sit in the string of the bow. To prevent the arrow from breaking apart on the back end, you can tie string around the tail.

Prepare the tip of the arrow by cutting it into a point and charring it over coals if you have the option. This will harden the point a bit so it’s not as soft and green. Adding an arrow head will allow you to hunt larger animals like deer. With a simple sharpened edge, you can kill smaller game like rabbits.

Practice
The best thing that you can do is practice with your bows and arrows before you use them. Shoot the arrows at soft items (pile of leaves, patch of moss, etc.) to figure out which ones shoot straight and which ones don’t.

Have you Made a Bow?
Comment below to tell us what tips and tricks you have? Have you made a bow before? Tell us your advice and how it went for you. We’d love to get your advice too.

You might also be interested in:
- How to Navigate Using the Stars, Sun and Moon - 
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The idea for the Mylar blanket originated with NASA. In 1964 the organization was looking for a material that would insulate, be lightweight and very efficient. They invented the Mylar blanket (aka space blanket) and it has since been used on virtually every space mission. The shiny blanket lined the bottom of the Apollo lunar lander vehicles and, as a tribute to its usefulness, is still used today in satellites, space stations and telescopes.

While the idea had many uses for space travel, the blanket has since found many uses for preparedness and emergencies. The blanket can be used during power outages, auto breakdowns, to collect water, create shelter and more. Check out these ideas below and be sure to add your own in the comment section.

- Do you know how to make your own rope? - 

Warmth
Obviously you can use the emergency blanket to keep you warm. Mylar blankets retain 80-90% of your body heat and since they’re so compact, they fit easily in 72-hour kits and in your car’s emergency kit.

Sleeping Bag
You can use duct tape and an emergency blanket to make a toasty sleeping bag for a child. Simply fold the bag over and tape the edges together to create a sleeping bag. For adults, you’ll probably have to tape two blankets together. You can also use them as lining for an existing sleeping bag to retain more heat.

Power Outages
Since Mylar blankets are good at keeping heat in; you can use them on your windows if the power goes out. They will reflect back light from a fireplace indoors and create a pocket barrier in your window frame to keep the cold out.

Shelter
If you’re out hiking and get stranded, an emergency blanket would make a pretty helpful shelter. It might not be able to withstand a lot of extreme weather but it will keep rain off of you and keep the warmth in. You can use the blanket to make a simple lean-to shelter in the woods.

Signaling Device
Emergency blankets are very reflective. In fact, they reflect out 99% of light rays. They would make a great signaling device to search and rescue helicopters or cars from a distance.

Collect Rainwater
Mylar emergency blankets are waterproof and do a great job of repelling water. Use that to collect moisture. You can simply lay the blanket out at night to collect dew. You can also position the blanket strategically to collect water in a bucket or canister.

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Fire Starter
As we mentioned previously, emergency blankets reflect nicely. Line a bowl (or hole shaped like a bowl) with a Mylar blanket. Place some kindling in the middle of the blanket and angle the blanket to it concentrates its light into the center. The concentration from the bowl shape will transfer the sun’s light to ignite the kindling.

What Ideas Do You Have?
Comment below to tell us what you can use an emergency blanket for. Do you carry them in your 72-hour kit? Share your knowledge below.

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Knowing how to make rope is a great skill to have in an emergency. You might be able to find weaker materials like twine, string, yarn, plant fibers or even plastic bags but they won’t be able to hold anything strong until they are bound together as rope.

Making rope is a great skill to know and very easy to do. Below, we’ve listed some instructions on how you can make a simple rope design. Keep in mind that there are multiple ways to make a rope and many materials you can use.

For this design, you’ll need:
• Twine or string
• Two sticks

First Spin
1. Attach the twine to one stick using a bowline knot. Make the loop large enough to slip off of the stick, if you don’t, it will get too tight and you’ll have to cut the line instead.

2. Stretch the twine to ensure all the yarns are of equal tension and begin spinning clockwise. As it becomes more difficult to spin while the strand is under moderate tension, you’re probably  finished. (For very long strands, use a spinner at each end to speed up the process.)

3. Once the strand is tightly spun, it must be folded to make rope. This is the tricky part for first-timers, since the individual segments must be kept tight at all times to prevent kinks. With two additional helpers placed at “thirds” on opposite sides of the strand, have each back up while holding his or her segment.

These bends are then looped over the spinner and the anchor stick, respectively, making the rope one-third its original length. (This can be done with only two people by looping the strand over something like a trailer hitch ball or a sturdy fence post.)

Second Spin
1. Once the line has been folded into thirds, stretch the three strands until they are even lengths. Continue to spin the rope but this time, do it in the opposite direction (counterclockwise) until the rope is tight.

2. Over-tighten the rope and quickly tug on the rope to set it in place.

3. Slide the rope off the sticks and let it relax a bit. Splice the ends to make sure the rope doesn’t come undone.

Your Advice?
Have you made rope before? How did it go? Comment below to share your advice and tips.