The Valley is famous for its expansive natural parks, as well as its residents’ affinity for hiking, running, and climbing in those parks. Should an outdoors enthusiast ever wander into the wilderness and become lost, however, his or her recreational jaunt could quickly turn into a life-threatening situation.
Those types of emergencies are the reason Hyde Park resident (and former Marine Corps drill instructor) John McCann founded Survivor Resources, a firm that offers classes in survival skills and sells “survival kits” online. The kit detailed here contains the basic tools you’d need to survive in the wild. (If possible, you should also carry a blanket, emergency poncho, and small container in which to boil water, McCann says.) Amazingly, the tools fit in a 2.4-ounce, 5.5- by 4-inch pouch you can hang around your neck. McCann sells the package (as well as larger, heavier kits) on his Web site, www.bepreparedtosurvive.com.
The kit does not guarantee survival, of course. But the more equipment you carry, and the more knowledge you possess, the better your chances of making it back to civilization. Here, you’ll find brief descriptions of what each tool is, what it will help you accomplish, and how to use it (click on the image gallery below).
